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‘I’ll fight whoever’ – Anthony Joshua open to Joseph Parker rematch if Oleksandr Usyk delays bout amid Russia invasion


ANTHONY JOSHUA is open to a rematch with Joseph Parker if his second fight with Oleksandr Usyk is shelved.

AJ was dethroned of his unified heavyweight titles when he was beaten by the Ukrainian at Tottenham in September.

Anthony Joshua is open to rematching Joseph ParkerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in SeptemberCredit: AP

Joshua invoked his right to an immediate rematch, which his promoter Eddie Hearn hoped to set up for May or June.

But that bout is now in serious doubt following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has seen Usyk bravely take up arms to defend his nation.

Joshua chose to respect the two-weight champion and not comment on whether they will fight next or not.

But the Londoner confirmed he would take a bout in the meantime if Usyk is otherwise occupied with more serious matters.

Joshua told Behind The Gloves: “Me personally? I’ll fight no problem. I’ll fight whatever, no problem.”

New Zealander Parker, 30, beaten by AJ in 2018, has already volunteered to replace Usyk, 35.

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Joshua, 32, said: “I’ll smoke him as well. Don’t matter.

“But listen, I’ll fight Joseph Parker. Do you know what it is? My record shows, it’s a fight at the end of the day, what do you want me to do?

“I don’t give a f***, I’ll fight whoever, whenever, it’s only a fight. Do you know what I’m trying to say? So yeah, I’ll fight, 100 per cent.”

After AJ’s defeat to Usyk it emerged he was considering switching up his coaching team.

And he has now confirmed Angel Fernandez, formerly his assistant trainer, will be his ‘main’ cornerman.

Joshua said: “I’m working with Angel Fernandez right now. In London and he’s been in my camp for the last three years anyway.

“He’s been at the last three of my world championship fights.”

Angel Fernandez pictured with Anthony JoshuaCredit: Refer to Caption


Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk


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