Anthony Joshua closing in on Oleksandr Usyk rematch in Middle East on July 23 as Eddie Hearn thrashes out deal

EDDIE HEARN has revealed two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could take on Oleksandr Usyk in the Middle East for their highly anticipated rematch fight.

Joshua, 32, is set to face Usyk on July 23 but the location for the bout is still to be decided.

Hearn wanted the fight to take place in London to give AJ an "edge", but the promoter admitted the event would generate "double the revenue" if it took place abroad.

The previous fight was held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but it appears Joshua is heading back to the sand dunes.

Hearn told : "I think there's a very good chance you'll see that fight July 23rd in the Middle East. We're closing in on that option."

After Joshua's only other professional loss to Andy Ruiz Jr the Brit won back his world titles in Saudi Arabia.

He beat Ruiz comprehensively in a fight billed as the "Clash on the Dunes", and earned a cool £59million for his efforts.

The figure for a second showdown with Usyk could be as much as £100m for Joshua - if the fight takes place in Saudi Arabia.

Hearn previously revealed he was in the final stages of negotiations for locations in London and the Middle East.

But an announcement for the clash will not be made until a location is decided - and both fighters must be in agreement.

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Wherever the fight takes place, Joshua is eager to put on a show and win back his belts by knocking out Usyk.

He accepts he was outboxed in London back in September but is ready to go back to basics to overpower his Ukrainian opponent.

AJ plans to get up close and personal to Usyk and make life unbearable for him in the ring - before delivering the knock out blow as he has done in 22 fights previously.