Joshua to bring back Usyk for UK rematch

ANTHONY Joshua is set to land home advantage for his quest to claim back his world heavyweight titles from Oleksandr Usyk.

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed he is targeting an April return for the 32-year-old, right, who had his WBA, IBF and WBO belts taken by the Ukrainian in September.

Hearn believes the bout will head to a stadium venue in London with Tottenham – which staged the previous showdown – and Wembley the front-runners.

Hearn said: “April is realistic. The preferred venue will be the UK, in which case we would have to do the fight outside, and we’re not really interested in doing that in March.

“We’ve had two or three offers from different countries to stage Joshua v Usyk but for me after the success of the Spurs fight – other than the result – I would love to do that fight back in the UK, possibly at Spurs again or at Wembley.

“It’s a must-win for AJ. If we have the opportunity to stage the fight in the UK we should do it, and if he can win that on home soil it would be pretty special.”

Hearn shrugged off concerns Joshua’s decision to split with career-long trainer Rob McCracken could have a negative impact.

Joshua, currently in Dubai, is yet to confirm the identity of his new trainer, or whether McCracken, who also heads the

GB Boxing squad in Sheffield, will have any continuing role.

Hearn said: “It is a huge risk but if you feel like you need a change and you can’t go on in a specific way any more, the alternative is much more risky.

“If AJ didn’t make any changes and wasn’t comfortable with his approach going into this rematch, I would feel like we shouldn’t be taking the rematch, but the fact he has been so proactive and positive, I know he’ll be comfortable with the decision.

“I’m a lot more at ease than with the flip side, which is to leave it. He needs something fresh and he’s excited.”

Hearn’s Matchroom organisation has confirmed a slew of shows, including a rare Sunday outing for Lawrence Okolie, who will defend his WBO cruiserweight title against Michael Cieslak on February 27.

Michael Conlan bids for Leigh Wood’s WBA featherweight belt on March 12 and Josh Warrington’s rematch with Kiko Martinez for the Spaniard’s IBF title will take place at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on March 26.

Warrington defeated Martinez by a majority decision in May 2017 on his way to becoming world champion and will face him again at the same First Direct Arena venue in his hometown.

Martinez, 35, won the title in a big upset in November when knocking out Britain’s Kid Galahad in the sixth round having been outclassed for most of their fight in Sheffield.