Anthony Joshua’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk has reportedly been postponed until mid-August.
The Briton will face Usyk for the second time this year after losing his unified heavyweight titles when they last collided in September.
A rematch between the pair was expected to take place on July 23 in Saudi Arabia, but The Telegraph are now reporting that it has been postponed to mid-August due to a dispute over broadcasting rights.
Sky has struck a deal with Joshua to show its destination date with Usyk on their Box Office platform in the UK, while DAZN – promoter Eddie Hearn’s exclusive broadcast partner – will take over the international rights.
The report states that an additional two or three weeks will be needed to resolve the existing issues surrounding the broadcast deals.
Their return fight is believed to still take place in the Middle East, where Joshua took his unified crown against Andy Ruiz Jr earlier in December 2019.
The delay will give him more time to get used to new trainer Robert Garcia, amid reports claiming he has joined forces with the Mexican-American
Additional time is also believed to be needed to create a purpose-built stadium in Saudi Arabia equipped with air conditioning, which is essential given the scorching temperatures of over 40 degrees.
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Hearn revealed in an interview with iFL TV this week that while his proposed July 23 date wasn’t guaranteed, there’s an official announcement confirming the rematch is coming.
‘If you ask if there is a delay? If so, you’re talking about two weeks and it’s for no other reason than time and making sure we can promote the fight properly,” he said.
“The fight is on, the fight has been agreed in terms of where it will take place and both sides agree, both sides have agreed on the deal and both sides agree on everything.