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Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch set for May in UK after Eddie Hearn snubbed US and Middle East offers

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ANTHONY JOSHUA is set to rematch Oleksandr Usyk in May in the UK as Eddie Hearn confirmed US and Middle East deals were snubbed.

AJ surrendered the unified WBA, IBF and WBO belts to Usyk in September but later exercised his right to an immediate rematch.

Anthony Joshua is set to rematch Oleksandr Usyk in May back in the UKCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

With Joshua’s career potentially on the line it has sparked mass intrigue in the must-win rerun, with a host of suitors looking to host.

But promoter Hearn revealed AJ is set to regain home advantage and will have the full backing of the British fans against Usyk.

He said on the 5 Live Boxing podcast: “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.”

Joshua, 32, made his US debut in June 2019 but was stunned by outsider Andy Ruiz Jr, 32, in New York, losing in seven rounds following four knockdowns.

In the rematch six months later, the pair went to Saudi Arabia, where AJ would regain the belts and exact revenge.

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Saudi money men were recently fronting talks for Usyk, 35, to fight Tyson Fury, 33, in a historic four-belt heavyweight unification.

But Joshua was unable to agree a step-aside deal, which would have seen him paid to forfeit his rematch.

Now Fury is set to fight WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, 33, with AJ rematching Usyk.

Tottenham’s 62,000-seater was the scene of Joshua’s loss last year and remains a contender again.

But Wembley Stadium – where 90,000 watched AJ beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 – is another option for Hearn.

Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in SeptemberCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk

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