rematch

Anthony Joshua triggers rematch with Oleksandr Usyk after losing belts

Hearn confirmed on Saturday night that Joshua had triggered his rematch clause against the Ukrainian.

Usyk stunned Britain's Joshua last month, winning by unanimous decision to take the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts.

"He [Joshua] has got his head back in the game," Hearn said.

"He is training now and today we officially triggered the rematch for the Oleksandr Usyk fight which we will see early next spring.

"We're looking for him to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. I think realistically March is when you're likely to see the rematch."

Joshua predicts 'iconic' night in December rematch with Ruiz Jr

Heavyweight Joshua is aiming to reclaim the IBF, WBA and WBO titles after suffering a shock loss - the first of his professional career - at the hands of replacement opponent Ruiz back in June.

Having dropped his rival earlier in the round, the Briton was sensationally floored in the third. He was also knocked down twice in the seventh, leading to the contest being stopped.

Andy Ruiz Jr plans long reign

Ruiz shocked the world by unseating the British heavyweight in June, with Joshua delivering an underwhelming performance at Madison Square Garden.

The WBA, IBF and WBO and belts will again be on the line for the December 7 rematch, which is controversially being held in Saudi Arabia, and Ruiz will not give them up easily.

Joshua-Ruiz 'can change boxing'

Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF belts to Ruiz in a stunning upset at Madison Square Garden in June.

Matchroom Boxing last week confirmed a rematch for December 7 in Riyadh, with Ruiz having refused to fight in Britain.

The Mexican-American is yet to comment on the scheduled fight, but Matchroom promoter Hearn told a news conference on Monday: "Both fighters signed for this fight. The governing bodies have been informed."

Joshua only interested in Ruiz bout

Ruiz caused a major upset when he defeated Joshua - making his debut in the United States - by technical knockout in the seventh round of the June 1 fight to claim the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

A rematch is likely to take place in November or December, though a venue is yet to be decided.

Joshua's choice is Cardiff's Principality Stadium, but Ruiz has refused to fight in the UK and a neutral venue is expected to be confirmed.

However, Joshua insists he is paying little attention to the negotiations and is solely focused on regaining his titles.

WBC approves direct rematch between Wilder and Fury

"Wilder and Fury gave boxing one of the best fights in the heavyweight division in a long time, which has created tremendous popular demand for the fans to see a rematch," the WBC said in a statement on Friday.

US boxer Wilder (40-0-1, 39 KOs) knocked Britain's Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) down twice, including a brutal right-left combination in the 12th that initially looked like it would end the fight.

Joshua-Klitschko II could be heading for Las Vegas

Joshua retained his IBF crown and gained the WBA and lesser-regarded IBO belts by stopping Klitschko in the 11th round of an epic battle at Wembley Stadium in April.

The champion is awaiting a decision on the second bout from the 41-year-old Ukrainian, who hinted at retirement following just his fifth career defeat in London.

Promoter Eddie Hearn has held discussions with Klitschko's manager Bernd Bonte and feels a Las Vegas bout could be the key to locking the fight in, though Nigeria, Dubai and Cardiff are also in the hosting mix.