There is still hope that unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk 19-0 (13) will face Anthony Joshua 24-2 (22) in an immediate rematch after the undefeated Ukrainian southpaw reportedly received special permission to leave his homeland in the midst of the Russian invasion.
Russian forces crossed the border into Ukraine on February 24. The Ukraine government has prevented most Ukrainian men ages 18 to 60 from leaving the country in anticipation that they may be called upon to defend their nation.
Earlier this week Vasiliy Lomachenko was afforded the opportunity to leave the country to face undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr in Australia in June. But the former three-weight world champion knocked back the offer, preferring to stay and fight in Ukraine.
It remains to be seen if Usyk will follow suit.
“Oleksandr Usyk has received permission from the Ukrainian Sports Minister to leave the country during war and will begin training camp for a summer rematch with Anthony Joshua for the unified heavyweight championship,” said ESPN’s Mike Coppinger on Twitter.
Coppinger added in a separate tweet: “Just yesterday, Usyk’s longtime friend, Vasiliy Lomachenko, decided to remain in Ukraine rather than fight George Kambosos for the lightweight championship on June 5 in Australia.”
Southpaw Usyk, 35, outboxed 32-year-old Londoner Joshua in Tottenham last September to earn a unanimous decision victory by scores of 117-112, 115-113 and 116-112.
The victory saw Usyk – the former undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world – lift the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn remains optimistic the bout will go ahead, but also has a back-up plan in place.
“I think you’ll see AJ in June. A lot depends on Usyk. I believed a couple of days ago, he was actually quite likely to take this fight with AJ,” the Matchroom Boxing boss told talkSPORT.
“You saw Vasyl Lomachenko come out last night and say, ‘I’m not going to fight Kambosos. I’m going to stay in Ukraine.’ Will Usyk follow suit?
“We’re happy to give them the opportunity to be with their families, be with their country, but AJ needs to fight.
“He’s ready to go in June against Usyk, which is the absolute priority, or against an interim opponent.”
Hearn also told The DAZN Boxing Show: “I do think Usyk will take that fight next, we’re looking at the end of June for that fight and that’s when the fight has got to take place by.
“If he’s not ready, we’ll push for an interim fight, but my gut feeling right now, and this could change is that you will be seeing Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk for the unified world heavyweight championship next.”
Earlier this month Usyk told CNN: “I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt.”
