Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2 could take place in the Middle East in late May or early June according to Eddie Hearn.
Matchroom supremo Hearn has just returned from the region, where he says he had a number of conversations with different territories about hosting the massive rematch for the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles.
Hearn on potential venues
He told the DAZN Boxing Show: “I’ve just come back from the Middle East. We’ve had numerous meetings with different countries in the Middle East to stage that fight.”
The biggest competition for site rights could come much closer to home – namely Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The London venue staged the first Joshua vs Usyk bout last September in front of more than 60,000 fans.
“Had a call today with Daniel Levy from Tottenham, which is where the first fight was at. They really want to bring the rematch back there – I love the idea of that as well,” admitted Hearn.
Hearn expects to speak this week with the Usyk camp this week as the two sides get down to agreeing a date for the fight, and then of course the venue.
Talks with team Usyk
He revealed: “Egis Klimas and Oleksandr Usyk are actually in the UK this week, so we’re going to sit down with them and just talk through everything. We’re getting to the stage now where we are thinking about securing the date – which will be end of May/June.”
Joshua will bid to become world heavyweight champion for a third time when he faces down Usyk for a second time. And Hearn believes he deserves a ton of credit for never shirking a challenge.
“There’s nothing gonna stop Anthony Joshua from taking that fight. People said ‘I still don’t think he’ll fight Usyk’ – what do you think he’s thinking? All he’s thinking about in training right now is fighting Oleksandr Usyk – that’s the only thing that’s on his mind.”
Joshua never ducks a challenge
Hearn claims Joshua’s willingness to face anybody put in front of him is in contrast to his great British rival – defending WBC, Ring magazine and lineal king Tyson Fury.
“I hope he gets the credit because there was a certain linear champion who wouldn’t fight Oleksandr Usyk, and yet AJ will fight him twice – on the spin, on the bounce – like he’s always done before. Pulev, Andy Ruiz twice, Joseph Parker, Wladimir Klitschko, Alexander Povetkin, Carlos Takam.
“He’s always fought mandatory, champion, mandatory, champion. And now he goes into another fight with Oleksandr Usyk, so he’s ready to roll the dice again.