Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed that Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua have agreed on a site deal ahead of their eagerly anticipated rematch.
The Matchroom Sports Chairman has been teasing an official announcement for weeks but has been unable to make it as the fight is not totally signed, sealed, and delivered.
Usyk outboxed Joshua and took his titles last September
It appears official confirmation of Usyk vs. Joshua 2 is creeping closer after both fighters agreed on a location for their summer blockbuster.
"We have agreed a deal with the site and date. The working date of July 23 and we are pretty much ready to announce," Hearn told IFL TV.
The 42-year-old later revealed that although he still hopes to hold the fight on that date, it could be pushed back by two weeks to allow the bout to be properly promoted.
"When you question about will there be a delay? If there is, you're talking about two weeks and it's for no other reason than time and making sure we can promote the fight in the right way," he said.
"The fight is happening, the fight is agreed in terms of where it will take place and both sides have agreed, both sides have agreed the deal, and both sides have agreed everything.
"It's just probably taken 10 days longer than we wanted it to and without putting a date all I can tell you is we are finalising the final bits of paperwork, and everything is agreed. So, standby."
Hearn has promoted Joshua since his pro debut
Garcia is the man who will help Joshua try to win back his belts
A delay wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for either fighter, especially for Joshua who has reportedly brought on Robert Garcia as his new trainer ahead of his rematch against Usyk and could do with the extra time to develop that coach-fighter relationship.
"AJ is fighting twice this year so any delay could only be a couple of weeks because we want to make sure he's good to go in December again," Hearn said.
"Look, July 23 is still the working date but if there was a delay it wouldn't be a major deal for anyone, it's just time.
"It's a big deal. It has taken a long time, but these deals do. It's the way it is. We are very happy with our partners, we are very happy with the deal, we are very happy with the process, and we are looking forward to a big event and you'll be hearing about it soon."
Usyk scored an upset win over Joshua when they first met at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last September, outpointing the Englishman over 12 rounds to win the WBO, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles.
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