Oleksandr Usyk’s Team Announces Anthony Joshua Triggers Rematch Clause

Oleksandr Usyk will be running it back with Anthony Joshua.

On Saturday in England, Usyk pulled off an upset win as he outboxed Joshua over 12 rounds to win a clear-cut decision. Immediately after the result, Eddie Hearn confirmed Joshua would be exercising his rematch clause with the fight likely happening in early 2022. Joshua too, said he would be exercising his rematch clause.

“100 percent, 110 percent,” Joshua said at the press conference of an immediate rematch (via SkySports). “I’m ready to get back to training. Because of the 12 rounds, my lungs and everything, it was a good 12-rounder, so I’ll be in a good place when I get back into training to pick up where we left off.”

Usyk then held a press conference with his promoter Alexander Krassyuk where they confirmed Joshua has already exercised the rematch clause.

“The rematch was specified in the contract,” said Krassyuk. “It has already been activated in principle, from the side of Joshua. “So I remember when we discussed with Oleksandr the issue of rematch, he was delighted and said ‘Wow, cool, I will beat Antokha (Anthony) twice.”

Although Usyk is now the champion, Hearn said he wants the fight in the UK despite Usyk being the champ and from Ukraine. The hope for Usyk is the fight is in Ukraine which seems unlikely at this time. However, when he rematches Joshua early next year, he says he will only be better as he wants to get a stoppage win this time around and go up 2-0 on him.

“You didn’t see the best Usyk. I can be much better,” he said after his points victory.

Are you surprised to see Anthony Joshua trigger the rematch clause for his fight against Oleksandr Usyk? And, who do you think will win the rematch?