EDDIE HEARN has confirmed Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk have agreed terms to rematch – set for August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
The pair have been in talks for a sequel ever since AJ was beaten by the Ukrainian pound-for-pound star in September.
But promoter Hearn revealed contracts have now been put in place with a fight confirmation definitely coming next week.
He told SunSport: "Thankfully I don’t have to say a "couple of weeks anymore".
"I can say "next week 100 per cent you’ll get an announcement about that fight.
“The paperwork is now taken care in full and we’re obviously get the press conference out of the way today, we’ve got a show in Mexico tonight."
READ MORE ON BOXING
AJ’s new coach claims Brit is best heavyweight but Fury ‘a different monster’
Get Money back as CASH if any of your first five bets lose – 18+ T&Cs apply
Hearn, who announces Derek Chisora's rematch with Kubrat Pulev today, was faced with several mega-money site deals for AJ and Usyk.
Joshua was dethroned by Usyk at Spurs' stadium and the football ground, along with US venues, were in play to host the second fight.
But Saudi backers – who brought Joshua over to the Middle East in 2019 – appear to have won the race once more.
July 23 was the pencilled in plan but delayed talks have forced the bout back with August 20th now understood to be the chosen date.
Most read in Boxing
LIKE MIKE 
Epic trailer for Tyson biopic shows famous Holyfield ear bite and pet tiger
Anthony Joshua set to QUIT Sky Sports and join rivals DAZN in mega-money deal
Fans beg Fury to come out of retirement as he shows skills on punch bag
Tyson Fury buys an antique RECOVERY TRUCK after splashing out on 2 Rolls-Royces
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Joshua has also been subject to speculation on where his TV network future will lie.
Ever since 2015, AJ has been a pay-per-view attraction on Sky Box Office.
But after Hearn penned a historic billion dollar deal with sports steaming service DAZN, his fights have been aired on the app Stateside.
So when DAZN officially broke into the UK market in late 2020, Sky faced a threat of losing poster boy Joshua.
The two-time heavyweight champion had looked likely to re-sign with Sky after his contract expired following defeat to Usyk.
But that was until SunSport revealed a dramatic U-turn saw AJ edge closer to breaking away and linking up with DAZN.
It would see his rematch with Usyk streamed on the app both in America and at home.
And after SunSport's exclusive reveal, Hearn confirmed Joshua has decided where his fights will be shown in the UK.
Read More on The Sun
I found a terrifying Facebook message that STEALS your money – check your DMs
I’m plus size & went clothes shopping – Primark’s dresses bursted on me
He said: "There’s the broadcast situation, which is like a soap opera in itself and there’s been a lot of work which has gone on behind the scenes.
“The competition has been fierce to secure the signature of Anthony Joshua and he’s made his decision on the long-term future of his broadcaster.
“And that will be revealed post-announcement of the fight and everyone will get to hear.”
Source: Read Full Article
