Anthony Joshua ‘two weeks’ away from revealing identity of new coach and starting training camp for Usyk rematch
ANTHONY JOSHUA is two weeks away from revealing the identity of his new coach and beginning preparations for his high-stakes rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
AJ ditched long-time trainer Rob McCracken in the wake of his lopsided points defeat to the undefeated Ukranian last September – but has kept the identity of his new head coach under wraps.
But promoter Eddie Hearn believes all will be revealed in a fortnight when the Watford warrior knuckles down for the do-or-die rematch.
When asked when Joshua’s second tussle with Usyk will be officially announced, Hearn told BetFredTV: “I think when camp starts officially.
“If we’re looking at May or early June for the fight, you’re talking about 12 or 14 weeks to go, so we’re probably two weeks away from starting full camp and I’m sure Anthony Joshua and his team will announce any additions to that training team in due course.
“He knows what he’s doing and where he’s going.”
Defeat in his Tottenham tussle with Usyk has lit a fire under Joshua, who was outboxed and outfoxed by the slick southpaw.
Hearn said: “He’s training really hard at the moment up in Loughborough and he looks sensational.
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“He’s hungrier than ever and ready to recapture his heavyweight world titles.”
A date and venue for Joshua vs Usyk 2 have not yet been finalised, although Hearn is open to hosting the fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium again.
He said: “I was speaking with Daniel Levy from Tottenham last night and I’d love to go back to Spurs for the rematch.
“I thought It was the most incredible stadium. I would love to go back there.
“Usyk is also on a split of the money, so they’ll be going for an option which creates the most revenue.”
Hearn has received multiple offers from around the world to stage the fight but would prefer to host it in London.
He said: “We’ve had offers from around the world to stage that fight. It’s the biggest heavyweight fight this year, certainly to date, and I think it’s going to be a major fight around the world.
“There’s a lot of interest. Mine and AJ’s preference is to do it back in London and we’re probably not a million miles away from announcing the fight.
“The contract is signed and everything is mostly done, we’ve just got to agree on a date and venue and then everything is done.”
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