Anthony Joshua activates rematch clause to fight Oleksandr Usyk

Nigerian-British boxer Anthony Joshua has activated his rematch clause and will get a chance to regain his belt from Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua lost his WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO world titles to Usyk, 34 on Saturday. 

The news of their intended rematch was disclosed by Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk on Tuesday. 

Krassyuk said; “According to my understanding, he has already activated the rematch clause because the first thing he said when he came to our corner was’ ‘we will see again in the rematch”’ he told Boxing Social.

“So he didn’t even consider it as a possibility, it was just a decision already. 

“I heard at the press conference Eddie Hearn and AJ himself were thinking about the rematch not just as a fact, but they were discussing the time when it is going to happen, what AJ has to change to win so I think it will happen. 

“Only some extraordinary circumstances can change it but as of now, it will definitely happen.’ 

If Usyk wins the rematch, he will aim for the remaining WBC belt in an undisputed showdown. The belt is currently occupied by Tyson Fury, who fights Deontay Wilder for a third time on October 9. 

“We can talk about the unification of all the belts only after Tyson Fury will have a boxing match against Deontay Wilder, and they determine the champion, and after our rematch with Anthony,’ Usyk said in an interview.

“Of course, I would very much like to have this unification match.”

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