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Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua set to take place in May, says Eddie Hearn

Anthony Joshua is set to return to the ring in May following his decision to trigger his rematch clause against Oleksandr Usyk.

The British heavyweight had been offered to step aside to allow Tyson Fury and Usyk to collide for all four major belts.

However, negotiations collapsed and now he is in talks to determine when and where his highly-anticipated fight with Usyk happens.

Joshua tasted a unanimous decision defeat to the Ukrainian southpaw in September and is now aiming to become a three-time world champion.

Speaking to the 5 Live Boxing podcast, Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn said: "It's clear AJ will be fighting Usyk, which is his preferred choice."

"May is when you'll see that fight."

The first contest took place in London at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of more than 60,000 fans - the biggest attendance for a boxing fight since the pandemic.

It subsequently won Event of the Year by Ring Magazine for 2021. However, there have been offers for the second fight to take place outside of the UK.

He said: "There's the UK, America, the Middle East - we've had offers all around the world for that fight. I'd like to do it in the UK and we'll see."

Joshua has previously fought in America and Saudi Arabia against Andy Ruiz Jr.

Their first encounter was held at Madison Square Garden, which ended in a seventh-round upset for Ruiz.

Joshua earned victory in their rematch in December 2020, overcoming Ruiz via unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia.

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