Anthony Joshua is set to face Usyk NEXT in June, predicts Hearn after Ukrainian is given permission to leave front line

ANTHONY JOSHUA could fight Oleksandr Usyk NEXT in June, Eddie Hearn predicted.

The heavyweight rematch was set to be postponed after Usyk bravely took up arms to defend Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.

But it has since emerged that the two-weight world champion could be given special permission to leave the war by the Ukrainian Government.

And during an Instagram Live video, Hearn responded to a fan asking if AJ will fight Usyk again or take an interim bout.

He said: “Is AJ vs Usyk happening now? I actually think it will. I actually think that fight will happen next and it will happen in June.”

Joshua, 32, was in September beaten by Usyk, 35, and the contract included an immediate second fight if he lost.

But he was forced to contemplate an interim bout after the reigning unified champ signed up with the Kyiv Territorial Defence.

Vasiliy Lomachenko, 34, faced a similar circumstance after seeing his lightweight world title fight with George Kambosos Jr, 28, also shelved.

But the Ukrainian boxing superstars could be given a grant to allow them out of military duty.

Bob Arum told : “The Ukrainian government, which is tremendous, are co-operating with us as far as Lomachenko and also Usyk.

“They realise there’s tremendous publicity value in having them come out, train and participate in title fights.

“Hopefully the war will then be over, but if it isn’t, [they will then] go back into defence mode.

“So I don’t know where that stands with either guys, whether they’re going to accept the offer of the cultural minister of Ukraine to leave and to train for fights.”