Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is free to resume his boxing career.
In recent weeks the 35-year-old Ukrainian has, like so many of his compatriots, taken up arms to join the fight against Russia’s war against their country.
It had seemed like the WBA, IBF and WBO belt holder would stay in his homeland during the conflict leaving a rematch with Anthony Joshua very much up in the air. However, ESPN’s Mike Coppinger has tweeted tonight that Usyk has received permission from the Ukrainian Sports Minister to leave the war and begin training once again.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had been unsure as to what may happen next. And earlier this month reports suggested that ‘AJ’ would take an interim bout until he could face Usyk once again.
ESPN say that the second fight between the two will go ahead this summer giving enough time for both men to prepare accordingly and for the fight’s promotion to be given maximum exposure.