Saudi Arabia could host Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua boxing rematch this summer

Saudi Arabia could host a highly-anticipated rematch between Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk and British boxer Anthony Joshua this summer.

Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk said talks are being held that could see the bout hosted in Saudi Arabia as early as June despite the Ukrainian currently serving in the army.

He has reportedly left Ukraine in anticipation of the fight.

"Saudi is the place we are in discussions with at the moment," Krassyuk told BBC Sport.

"Late June is the date we are looking at. Nothing has been confirmed on paper. We are working on it."

Saudi confident of bringing Usyk v Joshua to Middle East but, as Krassyuk has said to Sky, no deal signed yet. Talks ongoing and moving fast. As we learned last May, there's no deal until there are signed contracts. June 25 the target date.

— Chris McKenna (@cmckennasport) March 28, 2022

Usyk beat Joshua at a match in the UK to become the unified heavyweight champion.

A rematch in Saudi Arabia could be lucrative for both boxers with the kingdom marking itself as a new hub for international sporting events, including the F1, WWE, and the Saudi Pro-Golf Championship.

The kingdom has been a highly controversial venue for these games, with critics accusing Riyadh of "sports washing" to cover up its poor human rights record.

Joshua beat Mexican boxer Andy Ruiz Jr in a match held in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Usky, who enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces following Russia's invasion in February, recently said he was ready to face the British boxer in the ring again.

"I decided to start preparing for a rematch with Anthony Joshua," he said on Instagram.