Oleksandr Usyk was preparing for a rematch vs. Anthony Joshua, but with his country at war with Russia, the heavyweight boxing champion from Ukraine is focused on far more important matters.
So, for now, the much anticipated bout is delayed.
“We don’t want the obligation of a rematch to go away,” Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, who promoted Usyk’s past four fights and will promote the rematch with Joshua, told ESPN. “So, we’ll wait as long as Oleksandr Usyk needs during this difficult time for him.”
The 35-year-old returned last week to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and subsequently joined a territorial defense battalion. Usyk dominated Joshua via unanimous decision in September to win the unified heavyweight championship, and he now owes the Englishman a return bout.
Joshua, an Olympic gold medalist, exercised his rematch clause, which guarantees the 32-year-old…
