Anthony Joshua will knock Oleksandr Usyk out inside six rounds in their rematch.

Those are the words of AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn, who is confident Joshua will become the first boxer to halt the unbeaten Usyk this summer.

The British superstar fought valiantly against the Ukrainian when they clashed back in September but ultimately lost on points.

Joshua opened up a nasty-looking cut above Usyk's right eye during the bout and did his best to stave off incoming attacks.

But Usyk used his superior skills and elite footwork to his advantage to claim victory.

Joshua has gone on to replace his former trainer Rob McCracken with chief second Angel Fernandez, while Usyk is also back in training having recently taken up arms to defend his homeland against the Russian invasion.

The two are now reportedly close to agreeing a deal for a huge August fight in the Middle East.

But Hearn is backing his man Joshua, expressing his confidence that he will 'put it right'.

Anthony Joshua throws a punch at Oleksandr Usyk

The 42-year-old was taking part in a fan Q&A when the subject came up.

He said: “I’m telling you now, AJ KOs Usyk within six rounds.

“I rate Usyk but I believe in Anthony Joshua and I believe he’s going to put it right in the rematch, I really do.

“We are close to announcing AJ’s next fight.

“If you watched my Kugan Cassius interview yesterday you would have seen there was a slight delay, but news very soon.”

Hearn also admitted that a two-week delay is likely due to the size and scale of such a deal.

“We have agreed to a deal for the site, and the working date of July 23,” he told iFL TV.

“We are pretty much ready to announce. When you question about whether there will be a delay. If there is you’re talking about two weeks, and it’s for no other reason than time to make sure we can promote the fight in the right way.

“The fight is happening, the fight is agreed in terms of where it will take place and both sides have agreed, both sides have agreed to the deal, both sides have agreed to everything.

“It’s just that it’s taken 10 days longer than we wanted it to, and without putting a date on it, all I can tell you is we’re finalising the final bit of paperwork and everything is agreed, so stand by.

“July 23, two weeks later is August. AJ is fighting twice this year. So any delay could only be a couple of weeks because we want to make sure he’s good to go in December again. July 23 is still the working date, but if there was a delay, it wouldn’t be anybody. It’s just time.

“It’s a huge deal, and it has taken a lot of time, but deals do. It’s just the way it is. We’re really happy with our partners, we’re really happy with the deal, and the process. We look forward to a huge event, and you’ll be hearing about it very soon.”

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