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Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk 2: Five venues for May fight as Eddie Hearn opts for UK bout

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ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to renew his rivalry with Oleksandr Usyk in a high-stakes rematch in May.

The Watford warrior will bid to avenge the lopsided points defeat he suffered at the hands of the slick southpaw last September in just over two months’ time.

Anthony Joshua is set to rematch Oleksandr Usyk in the springCredit: REUTERS
Joshua suffered a lopsided points defeat to the UkrainianCredit: AFP
Promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed the pair’s rematch will take place in MayCredit: REX

Promoter Eddie Hearn told the BBC: “It’s clear AJ will be fighting Usyk, which is his preferred choice.

“May is when you’ll see that fight.

“There’s the UK, America, the Middle East – we’ve had offers all around the world for that fight.

“I’d like to do it in the UK and we’ll see.”

Although a date for the AJ’s potentially do-or-die bout hasn’t been finalised, several venues are in the running to host the contest.

So with that in mind, SunSport thought it’d only be right to reveal the venues in the contention to stage Usyk vs Joshua 2.

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Wembley Stadium

The home of English football would be a fitting venue for what possibly could be the biggest fight of Joshua’s entire career.

A possible 90,000 fans in attendance would make for a fine spectacle for the all-or-nothing contest.

AJ is no stranger to competing under the famous Wembley arch having fought Wladimir Klitschko and Alexander Povetkin there in April 2017 and September 2018.

Anthony Joshua locked horns with Wladimir Klitschko in front of a capacity crowd at WembleyCredit: Getty

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Spurs’ brand-spanking-stadium was the venue where Joshua’s second reign as unified heavyweight champ came to an end.

So it would make sense for him to return to the scene of the defeat and try to exact his revenge in exactly the same circumstances.

Emirates Stadium

The home of Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal is also in contention to host the bout, although the stadium has yet to stage a major boxing event.

Gunners fan AJ could, however, opt to change that as he will play a huge role in choosing the venue for his next outing.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the venue for AJ’s defeat to UsykCredit: MARC ASPLAND
Arsenal fan Joshua could opt to fight at the EmiratesCredit: PA

Principality Stadium

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium is also a contender to land the eagerly-anticipated second meeting of Joshua and Usyk.

The old Millenium Stadium hosted back-to-back AJ fights in November 2017 and January 2018, staging his successful title defences against Carlos Takam and Joseph Parker.

Poor attendances for those fights, however, could sway Matchroom away from returning to the Welsh capital – despite the stadium’s retractable roof.

AJ had back-to-back fights in Cardiff in November 2017 and January 2018Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD

Saudi Arabia

Should a UK stadium show fail to come to fruition, a return to the Middle East could very well be on the cards for Joshua.

Joshua’s must-win rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr was held in Saudi in December 2019, with the Clash on the Dunes being staged in a purpose-built arena in Diriyah.

And it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the fight could be staged in the modern port city of Jeddah.

A return to Saudi Arabia could be on the cards for AJCredit: GETTY

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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk

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