Eddie Hearn confirms shock step aside talks for Anthony Joshua to allow Tyson Fury to face Usyk have begun

OLEKSANDR USYK's team are in talks with Anthony Joshua's reps about stepping away from their rematch.

AJ is set to rematch the newly-crowned unified heavyweight champion next year but the undefeated Uysk has set his sights on an undisputed clash with WBC king Tyson Fury.

And promoter Eddie Hearn has revealed the Ukrainian's management have reached out to try to convince the Watford warrior to allow a mouth-watering showdown to take place.

The Matchroom Boxing chief told Boxing King Media: "We've had their team reach out to us."

Hearn, however, has yet to speak to Joshua about foregoing his rematch with the slick southpaw, who schooled him in their September showdown.

He added: "At the moment, there's communication between the two teams to say, 'Is it something that [you'd consider].

"And the answer is; AJ has not been spoken [to] about this yet.

"I'll deal with it and when I feel there's an opportunity for Anthony and 258, we'll sit down with them and present that to them."

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Despite the opportunity being on the table, Hearn doesn't want to broach the subject with Joshua until a viable offer has been made.

He continued: "But I don't want to do that until I feel it's the right opportunity because he's not gonna be happy because he just wants to fight Oleksandr Usyk.

"But if there's a route, there's an offer and it makes sense, we'll see. But right now, just conversations."

Joshua, 32, suffered a lopsided points defeat to Usyk in their tussle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and has vowed to exact revenge on his fellow Olympian.

But he recently hinted he was open to the possibility of stepping aside - if the 'money is right'.

He told iFL TV: "I think people know not to approach me with that rubbish. People know not to approach me with that bull****.

"It may have come to my team but I think they know not to bring to me at the minute.

"At this stage of my career it's not about the money, it's about the respect. You've got to look at what I want out of this game; number one is respect, you don't have to like me but you will respect me.

"The second is to go down as a throwback fighter, someone who was willing to fight the best in their division so that when I walk the streets with my son, my cousin and my nephews, people will know I'm a real fighter.

"In terms of stepping aside, I don't know if that goes in line with what a morally stand for… but I want to be known as one of the smartest businessmen as well.

"I want to make the smart decisions and if the money is right we would have to look at it but respect has more value than money.

"Will I take the step-aside money? If its a smart business move… will it affect my reputation and respect?

"Will I still get to fight the best fighters? Those are the three things I have to consider."

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