Joshua's rematch with Usyk could be staged in the UK

The United Kingdom is among the venues being considered to host Anthony Joshua's rematch against Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, which may be scheduled in June or July.

On Friday, Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn told British media, "We're in final negotiations for a couple of sites for either the end of June or early-to-mid-July. I reckon within two weeks, we'll have some news in terms of where that's going to be."

"An option is in the UK. The difference is, we don't really need negotiations with a venue in the UK; we just book it," he added.

World heavyweight champion Usyk beat Joshua in front of a sell-out crowd in London in September last year to claim the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts. Read full story

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", Usyk returned to his homeland to join a territorial defence battalion, raising doubts about a rematch with Joshua.

However, Usyk said last month that he had begun preparations for the bout, with the Ukrainian's promoter Alexander Krassyuk telling Sky Sports that Saudi Arabia was a potential venue.

The winner could be in line for a unification bout with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of Britain.