Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua Vs. Oleksandr Usyk Rematch Might Be Delayed

The rematch between unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua might be delayed.

That’s what Joshua’s promoter said on Monday. He added that it could pushed back a week or two, but a site deal for Saudi Arabia is close to being finalized.

“We are pretty much ready to announce. Both sides have agreed to the deal; both sides have agreed to everything,” Hearn said.

“It’s just that it’s taken ten days longer than we wanted it to, and without putting a date on it, all I can tell you is we’re finalizing the final bit of paperwork, and everything is agreed, so stand by.”

The rematch has been in works ever since Usyk scored one of the biggest upsets over Joshua in September, defeating him by unanimous decision.

Usyk, of Ukraine, became one of only three boxers — Evander Holyfield and David Haye — to have unified the cruiserweight world titles and become a world heavyweight champion.

But during the months in between of finalizing the rematch, Usyk was almost tied up with facing WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury for an undisputed championship bout.

But Fury ended up facing mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte after he and Joshua refused step aside money to let Usyk-Fury happen.

Fury defeated Whyte by TKO in April and could be next in line for the winner of the Usyk-Joshua rematch, but Fury insists that he is retiring.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said the boxing council is not rushing Fury to make a decision because his next mandatory title defense is next year.

Meanwhile, for Joshua, he reportedly dropped longtime lead trainer Rob McCracken for new head trainer Robert Garcia. McCracken was with Joshua ever since he won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.