Boxing
Anthony Joshua already wants Oleksandr Usyk rematch, says Eddie Hearn
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Anthony Joshua will exercise his rematch clause against Oleksandr Usyk, his promoter Eddie Hearn believes.
Hearn had signed a career-long deal with Joshua last week, presumably in anticipation of a win for his fighter against the Ukrainian which would tee up an undisputed fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury.
That match-up is now in doubt, regardless of whether Joshua defeats Usyk in any rematch.
Nonetheless, Hearn believes that Joshua is already focused on revenge. It would not be the first time Joshua has won back his belts, doing the same against Andy Ruiz in 2019, though that appeared a much easier proposition given Usyk’s impressive display.
Hearn said to Sky Sports: "It's going to be really difficult because Usyk's confidence will be sky high, but when you get to the level of Anthony Joshua, as we saw after the Ruiz defeat, there's no 10-round comeback fights and warm-ups.
"It's straight back into the fire and he will want to go straight back into that rematch. He will be an underdog in the rematch this time after that tonight, but that's what he does."
Hearn explained that despite the punishment Joshua - and Usyk - took over 12 rounds, his fighter wanted to get right back to gym work.
"It was a tough fight, a gruelling fight," said Hearn.
"He's not quite talking the way you would expect him to talk at the moment. Devastated. He's already talking about training again.
"They want to look at the eye socket. He says it's fine, but a devastating defeat.
"Obviously congratulations to Oleksandr Usyk. What a fighter. He put in a great performance tonight and the better man won."
