Anthony Joshua to fight Usyk in April 

Nigeria born British boxer Anthony Joshua is likely to get a chance to reclaim his world titles from Oleksandr Usyk in London in April according to The Times of London.

Joshua aims to become a three-time world champion and win back the IBF, WBA and WBO belts from the Ukrainian, his promoter Eddie Hearn disclosed over the weekend.

Joshua has decided he should take up his rematch clause after losing to Usyk on points on September 25 and the fight is likely to be at Wembley Stadium or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the venue of their first encounter. 

Joshua’s manager Hearn, who said Joshua was finalising a new training team, said: “We had offers from overseas, but we are looking at Spurs or Wembley from the middle to end of April because we want to take the fight outdoors. That is a realistic time frame. I feel like it is a must-win, and doing the rematch on UK soil will make it pretty special. I never went formally to AJ with a step-aside deal, with ‘this is the money. We don’t want to lose the opportunity to challenge for a world title – and we don’t want to risk being messed around. 

 “He [Joshua] has the opportunity in his next fight against Usyk to win back the world titles again. He believes he can do it, and so do I. AJ does not have a definite new training team yet, but he will announce it formerly in the next few weeks. He’s not confirming yet whether Rob McCracken [Joshua’s long-term trainer] will be involved.” 

Asked if a new trainer would be a risk in such an important fight, Hearn said: “It’s a huge risk. But if you feel you can’t go on without changes, they have to be made. AJ is excited, and he needs change.”