By Charles Brun: Three locations are being looked at for the rematch between IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksander Usyk and Anthony Joshua for March or April 2022.
Usyk’s promote Alexander Krassyuk will be meeting with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing within a few weeks to discuss the location for the rematch.
The locations that are under consideration are as follows:
- UK
- Ukraine
- Middle East
It’s understood that the site fee will determine the location for the Usyk vs. Joshua 2 rematch. Ideally, Hearn would like for the second fight to occur in the United Kingdom in front of Joshua’s loyal fans, but if the money doesn’t match the offers from the Middle East or Ukraine, the rematch will take place in one of those countries.
We’ve already seen that Joshua fighting at home in the UK didn’t help him against Usyk, as the Ukrainian fighter dominated him in their recent fight on September 25th in London, England.
Despite many people in boxing believing it’s a dumb idea to face Usyk in a second fight, Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) has activated his rematch clause in their contract, and he plans on risking everything to try and avenge his humiliating loss.
“We plan to meet with [Joshua’s promoter] Eddie Hearn within the next couple of weeks to initiate the rematch activities,” Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk said to Sky Sports.
“We have three options under consideration: the UK, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
“Hopefully, by the end of 2021, we will be in the position to take the final decision.”
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum had hoped that Joshua would step aside and allow Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) to take on WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for the undisputed championship.
Arum wanted Joshua to take a tune-up fight while waiting for the smoke to clear from the Usyk vs. Fury contest. Unfortunately, Joshua has zero interest in stepping aside and heading straight into the rematch with Usyk, which could end as badly as his previous fight.
We don’t know how Joshua will react to losing to Usyk a second time. If there were any doubt that is Joshua’s mind now that he’s no longer the fighter that he once was 3000 yesterday’s ago, it would be crystal clear after he gets beat a second time by the talented Ukrainian.
It would be Joshua’s third loss in his last five fights and a signal that he will have to make a big decision about his career.
As long as Joshua is okay with no longer being an elite heavyweight, he could carry on with his career after a second defeat to Usyk. But if Joshua can’t handle it mentally being just an average Joe, it’s safe to say he’ll probably retire.
“Usyk is not frustrated by facing a wait to become undisputed, Krassyuk said: “Not at all. We were 100 percent aware of the rematch clause.”
Why would Usyk be upset about fighting Joshua a second time? With the large payday that Usyk will get for a rematch with AJ, which he wouldn’t get fighting anyone else, it’s a no-brainer for him to be glad about facing him a second time.
Look at Andy Ruiz Jr. He’s now wealthy with a net worth estimated at $10 million after fighting Joshua twice in 2019. Talk about your rags to riches story.
As for Tyson Fury, he’s got a big problem on his hands in needing to decide whether to defend against his mandatory Dillian ‘The Body Snatcher’ Whyte next or vacate his WBC title.
The World Boxing Council is going to order Fury to defend against Whyte next when they meet for their convention on November 14th. If Fury takes the fight with Whyte, he could lose.
A loss for Fury would result in him missing out on a huge payday that he would be getting by facing the winner of the Joshua vs. Usyk 2 fight.
“Tyson has to prove his championship position by going through the mandatory. But this is up to him and his team,” said Krassyuk.