Anthony Joshua ‘already talking about winning rematch’ against Oleksandr Usyk, Eddie Hearn reveals

Anthony Joshua is “already talking about winning the rematch” against Oleksandr Usyk, according to Eddie Hearn.

The former unified cruiserweight champion produced a masterclass to hand Joshua a second defeat of his professional career and dethrone him as IBF, WBO and WBA champ.

The Ukrainian secured a hugely deserved unanimous points victory (117-112, 116-112, 115-113) in front of more than 63,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Joshua has a rematch clause and promoter Hearn suggests he’ll be ready to trigger it after a chastening defeat.

“The fighter in AJ is already talking about winning the rematch,” Hearn said after the fight. “It was a tough defeat. I had it reasonably close in the eighth and then Usyk ran away with it. If that happens again, he will get beat again.

“Usyk’s confidence will be sky high. He has to impose himself but when you get to the level of AJ, there are no 10-round comeback fights or warm ups. You are straight into the fight. He will be an underdog in that rematch. He chose to take on a pound for pound great tonight, and it didn’t work out. He deserves credit for that but this is sport.

“This is his life and he lives and breathes boxing. Boxing saved him. Boxing made him and he won’t fall out of love with the game. When you do, is the time to walk away. The desire will still be there but you have to be good enough. That was an average performance by AJ. he can do so much better but he’s facing a pound for pound great. You can criticise him but he is facing the best.

“There is a new unified world heavyweight champion. There is no point sulking about it. He will go again, but tonight belongs to Usyk.”