‘REMATCH OR BUST!’
ANTHONY Joshua has been told he MUST take a rematch with conqueror Oleksandr Usyk in a bid to save his career.
The second defeat of his career has left Joshua at a crossroads and his hopes of a dream showdown with Tyson Fury dead in the water.
His promoter Eddie Hearn told Joshua he has no chance of ever winning his world championship back unless he exercises the rematch clause and takes on Usyk again.
The fight is expected to take place in February in the UK and Hearn admits Joshua will be the underdog.
He said: “Ultimately if he does not accept the rematch clause, he will not get a chance to win his world championship back possibly ever, the way this game works.
“I don’t really see another option. I think he has to take it.
Sulk
“He’s not going to go and have a 10-rounder at The O2. He’s going to want to try to win his belts back and he should be commended for that, but he will be an underdog in that rematch.”
Joshua, who was left battered and bruised with extensive eye damage, insists he will not sulk and declared war on Usyk ahead of his shot at taking revenge.
He said: “One hundred per cent, 110 per cent, I want the rematch. He still gets hit a lot and in the rematch I’ll hit him with concussive power.
“I’m going to go back and look at myself. I’m not going to go home and be crying about it because this is war.”