Eddie Hearn admits he's 'almost out of time' to finalise Anthony Joshua's crunch rematch with Usyk for July 23

EDDIE HEARN admits he's "almost out of time" to finalise Anthony Joshua's do-or-die rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

AJ's second showdown with the slick southpaw is slated to take place in Saudi Arabia on July 23 but contracts have yet to be signed.



And with less than eight weeks remaining until the proposed desert dust-up, time is fast running out for Hearn to organise a whistle-stop tour to promote the bout.

The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “July 23 in the Middle East is the frontrunner.

"We’re almost out of time for that date if we don’t get the deal done this week.

"I’m hoping we can give you two big pieces of news this week.

READ MORE IN SPORT

Watch Anthony Joshua throw thudding body shots as Brit practices for Usyk

Joshua v Usyk latest odds and free bets: AJ the underdog for summer rematch

"That will be Canelo Alvarez’s next fight and Anthony Joshua’s next fight – two of the biggest stars of the sport.

"The date of the fight and the time to train are not the problems, it is more about the extra obligations of TV, press conferences and promotion.

"Eight weeks out feels OK but once you get down to seven and six, it’s a problem.

"Both fighters know that if we have to do a media tour then it needs to happen in the next 10-14 days.

Most read in Boxing

body belter

Watch Anthony Joshua throw thudding body shots as Brit practices for Usyk

'LORD OF THE RING'

Fury suited and booted as he enjoys retirement posing next to luxury car

'I HAVE THIS EFFECT'

Fury chips in after AJ's heckled by students about fearing Brit rival

'PAYBACK'

Tyson Fury forced to rub wife's feet after making her bring him beer on holiday

SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY

"Beyond that, we will have to move it back a week or two."

Joshua, 32, was turned over by the undefeated Ukrainian Usyk in their Tottenham tussle last September, suffering a lopsided points defeat.

The 6ft6 Brit unwisely tried to outbox his fellow London 2012 gold medallist but is planning to go "back to basics" for their second dance.

He admitted: "The fight with Usyk, in my mind, was going for 12 rounds.

"That was my game plan because I thought I could compete with him as a boxer.

"And I think he won two more rounds than I did. That's how he became champion.

"So the goal now is to go back to basics and go for the knockout.

“I always feel, when I'm sparring or fighting people, I actually see their spirit get dampened.

“Honestly, when you're looking at this person directly in their eyes and watching their body, you can read the body and punch after punch this person is slowly fading.

Read More on The Sun

I was snapped in bed with Andy Carroll pre-wedding… here’s what happened

Traveller-born Paris Fury shares snap of new caravan garden ornament

“Now when you're boxing, the art of boxing is to hit and not get hit. So you're kind of boxing to stay away. That's not really my style.

"My style is to be up close and personal and make it difficult for the person. So that's the game plan.”

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

    Source: Read Full Article