Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed he will face-off against Anthony Joshua again next year in a rematch, likely to take place in the spring.
The Ukrainian secured a stellar victory over Joshua in September, clinching the Brit's three heavyweight titles and halting any plans of a unification bout against Tyson Fury.
Joshua quickly activated his rematch clause as he plans to win back the belts he lost, something he did previously following a surprisin defeat against Andy Ruiz Jr.
However, against Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he never looked to be in control and his defeat was comprehensive.
Many have already given Joshua little chance of winning a rematch, though the Brit has travelled across the United States looking for a new coach following questionable preparation for his initial bout against Usyk.
While that could see Joshua take a new approach in his quest for redemption, that's not something that concerns Usyk.
“The rematch is going to happen. The promoters are going to deal with the dates and everything. The nearest it will be is spring, or close to that," he told the Independent.
“I don’t think about my opponents or their changes. I think about myself and how I can become at least a little bit better every day.
“I had felt amazing backstage, I enjoyed the walk to the ring... and even when I saw the crowd cheering, it didn’t matter if it was pro-Joshua or not. The night was a perfect ensemble of everything that happened that day.”
Victory for Usyk over Joshua again would open the door for a bout with Fury later next year.
