Anthony Joshua 24-2 (22) is heading into an immediate rematch with conqueror Oleksandr Usyk 19-0 (13) in the spring of 2022.
The 31-year-old Brit lost his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles to Ukrainian southpaw Usyk, 34, by unanimious decision at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium in Tottenham, England on September on September 25.
Usyk was in control for much of the bout, using his feints, angles and ring genralship to keep the champion guessing. He had Joshua hurt at least twice in the fight including in the 12th and final round.
The scores at the end of the bout were 117-112, 115-113 and 116-112, all in favour of Usyk.
The fight contract included an immediate rematch clause which Joshua enacted over the weekend, according to promoter Eddie Hearn.
“Joshua is training now, and today we officially triggered the rematch for the Oleksandr Usyk fight, which we will see early next spring,” the Matchroom Boxing boss told DAZN on Saturday.
“So back in the game and looking for him to become a three-time heavyweight champion.”
It won’t be the first time Joshua heads into an immediate rematch following a loss.
Joshua lost his three world championship belts to Andy ‘The Destroyer’ Ruiz Jr 34-2 (22) at Madison Square Garden in New York City in June 2019. In that fight Joshua had Ruiz on the canvas in the third but was sent to the deck twice in the same frame and never seemed to fully recover.
Mexcian-American Ruiz Jr finished him off in the seventh.
The return bout took place six months later in Saudi Arabia. In that fight Joshua pitched a virtual shutout, winning by scores of 118-109, 118-109 and 117-110. Ruiz Jr was down in the second round.
In the rematch Ruiz Jr came in more than 15 pounds heavier than the first fight, compromising his natural speed. By contrast, Joshua weighed in 10 pound lighter than their original bout.
Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk presents a different problem. Fast and fluid with great mobility, he is a conundrum wrapped up in a riddle.
Joshua opted to box in their first fight and would to well to adjust his tactics for the rematch. He says he knows what he needs to change to emerge victorious.
“I’ve watched the fight, analysed my preparations and identified my mistakes. I’ve learned my lesson,” Joshua said after the loss.
“Don’t worry about me. My spirit is strong!”
Joshua was expected to face WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury 30-0-1 (21) in a rare four-belt unification bout this past summer.
Those plans were scotched when an independent arbitrator rules that Fury was contractually obligated to face former titleholder Deontay Wilder 42-1-1 (41) for a third time.
They will clash at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday night.
If Joshua fails to defeat Usyk, it seems unlikely we will see him face Fury any time soon, if at all.
