Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch set for March 2022
Two-time World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22KOs) has officially triggered the rematch clause in the contract with Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13KOs).
The Londoner lost his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts to the Ukrainian last month at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in London, comfortably outpointed on all three judges' scorecards at 117-112, 116-112, 115-113.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed today, "He [Joshua] has got his head back in the game, he is training now and today we officially triggered the rematch for the Oleksandr Usyk fight, which we will see early next spring.
"That is officially triggered now and we will sit down with K2 (Usyk's promotional team) to plan dates for that. I think realistically March is when you're likely to see the rematch."
Usyk, Joshua and Fury are all chasing the Undisputed Championship but one man who has already attained that status at super-lightweight believes that the rematch is not worth it, "Is there any need for a Usyk rematch?" Questioned Josh Taylor. "Personally, I don't think so, it was too one-sided."
Another super-lightweight champion, Kieran Gething from Wales, agrees with Taylor that Joshua's chances are limited, but also understand's why he must fight Usyk again, "I personally don’t see a way AJ wins but he has to do it a) for the money b) for his pride!"
The Welsh Area champ added his advice on how to approach the return fixture, "I think he will have to change his plan to come in heavier and be a sort of all or nothing hail Mary first few rounds, but I also don’t think this will work on a fighter like Usyk.
"I can imagine him stacking on more weight to gain an advantage and to try to land with a big one but ultimately he will still lose."
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