Oleksandr Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk has dismissed reports that the heavyweight rematch with Anthony Joshua will be delayed until mid-August.
Joshua and Usyk have yet to do battle for the second time since Joshua activated the rematch clause following their meeting last September. The Telegraph reported that the fight had been delayed until mid-August as issues over broadcasting continue to be ironed out.
However according to Planet Sport, Ukrainian promoter Krassyuk has denied the reports instead claiming that he has heard nothing beyond "internet rumours". He also added that plans to delay the rematch further had "not been discussed" by the parties.
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn issued an update on the fight claiming that a delay would be no longer than two weeks with the venue agreed. “We have agreed to a deal for the site, and the working date of July 23," he told iFL TV. “We are pretty much ready to announce. When you question about whether there will be a delay. If there is you’re talking about two weeks, and it’s for no other reason than time to make sure we can promote the fight in the right way.
“The fight is happening, the fight is agreed in terms of where it will take place and both sides have agreed, both sides have agreed to the deal, both sides have agreed to everything. “It’s just that it’s taken 10 days longer than we wanted it to. Without putting a date on it, all I can tell you is we’re finalising the final bit of paperwork and everything is agreed, so stand by.
"July 23, two weeks later is August - AJ is fighting twice this year. So any delay could only be a couple of weeks because we want to make sure he’s good to go in December again. July 23 is still the working date, but if there was a delay, it wouldn’t be [because of] anybody. It’s just time."
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The fight has already been delayed from its previous April date with Usyk bravely returning back to his homeland to take up arms against Russian invasion. However he has since made a return to training and is preparing to defend his unified titles for the first time.
Equally Joshua has recommenced his training and is working with new head trainer Angel Fernandez at Loughborough University. Despite being criticised for his tactical approach last time out, Joshua has insisted the sequel will be the first time he fights to a gameplan in his career.
"If I'm honest with you, this is the first time in my career I'd say we are specifically working to a game plan," Joshua said. I've based a lot of my success on raw ability, with the right coaches, experienced coaches. What tends to happen is, we overthink things too much when there isn't a game plan."
