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The rematch between WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk 19-0 (13) and former two-time champion Anthony Joshua 24-2 (22) is currently on hold due to the current situation in Ukraine.
Southpaw Usyk, 35, who hails from the Eastern European nation that was invaded by Russia late last month, told CNN last week: “I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”
Ukraine has drafted in civilian troops to support their regular army, including high profile recruits Vasiliy Lomachenko, Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko who have picked up arms to support the sovereign nation.
Family man Usyk, who has three children, is clearly concerned about the situation.
“I don’t want to shoot,” he said. “I don’t want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn – who has also promoted Usyk past four fights – is understanding of the situation.
“We don’t want the obligation of a rematch to go away,” the Matchroom Boxing boss told ESPN. “So, we’ll wait as long as Oleksandr Usyk needs during this difficult time for him.”
Usyk defeated the 32-year-old Joshua by unanimous decision in September last year. The Englishman could take an interim bout if the situation in the Ukraine drags out.
“It’s a very unique, personal, emotional situation and I don’t think we can really fathom what’s going on there and what’s going through the minds of people involved there,” said Hearn. “So for us, of course, utmost respect for Oleksandr Usyk.”
Meanwhile, Joshua has revealed who his new trainer will be able a global search that took him to gyms around the world. It turns out the answer was closer to home.
“I’m working with Angel Fernandez right now,” Joshua told Behind the Gloves. “He’s been in my camp for the last three years, anyway. He’s been in the last three world championships.”
When the question was asked if Fernandez was now his main trainer, Joshua replied: “Yeah, man.”
Hearn has previously suggested it was time for Joshua to move on from longtime coach Rob McCracken and his Sheffield gym.
“I feel it might be time to move on from that environment because when you’ve been there since you were 18 and you go into GB and Anthony Joshua is everywhere, he’s a god,” he said.
“I just feel it’s time to rough him up a little bit, not in log cabins in the middle of nowhere. But up there it’s ‘oh my God, it’s AJ!’ because they’re proud of him. Rob is not necessarily gone.
“That’s a conversation for those guys and it’s very difficult because he is more than just a trainer, he’s a mentor to him, an advisor, a friend. It’s not just about who’s training him, it’s about where that’s going to take place.”
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