Oleksandr Usyk leaves Ukraine to begin training for Anthony Joshua rematch after helping fight Russian invaders
OLEKSANDR USYK has left Ukraine to start training for his rematch against Anthony Joshua.
The world heavyweight champion has been fighting on the front line as he helps his country defend themselves against the Russian invasion.
Usyk joined fellow boxers Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko and Vasyl Lomachenko in the Ukrainian military fight as they nobally chose to put their lives on the line for their country.
Now Usyk has left Ukraine in order to begin training camp as he eyes a second victory over Joshua.
He sensationally beat AJ by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in September – claiming the IBF, WBA and WBO belts.
A date of March or April was originally muted as the likely time for the rematch to take place.
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But delays ensued due to potential step aside fees being paid to Joshua to make way for an undisputed fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury.
That never materialised, before the fight was pushed further back following Russia’s invasion of Usyk’s home country.
Now Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed they are looking at June for the rematch.
Earlier this week, he told boxing fans: “Is AJ vs Usyk happening now? I actually think it will.
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“I actually think that fight will happen next and it will happen in June.”
Usyk has not lost any of his 19 professional fights and became undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight.
Meanwhile, Joshua’s loss to Usyk was the second of his career following the stoppage defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.