Boxing
Anthony Joshua preparing for Oleksandr Usyk, won't step aside for Tyson Fury
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Anthony Joshua is preparing for his rematch with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, says his promoter Eddie Hearn.
That comes after the other division champion, WBC belt holder Tyson Fury, is said to prefer a fight with the Ukrainian fighter over facing his mandatory Dillian Whyte.
However Joshua has a rematch clause with Usyk and Hearn has previously said he anticipates the 2022 fight going ahead no later than April. That would force Fury to wait for Usyk, and it may spur the WBC into ordering a Fury-Whyte match-up.
"AJ is already in camp physically and mentally for the Usyk rematch, and it's all he has thought about since the night of the first fight," Eddie Hearn told Sky Sports.
"I have a meeting planned with [Usyk's promoter] Alex Krassyuk to start working on proposed venues for the spring rematch.
"It's a huge fight and we believe AJ can become a three-time world heavyweight champion."
Fury and Usyk were given 30 days after Fury’s win over Deontay Wilder to arrange and undisputed title fight, and the deadline has now expired.
Joshua has been touring the US, visiting gyms in California and Texas, as he considers changes to his training team for the Usyk fight.
