Eddie Hearn announces that Anthony Joshua has activated Oleksandr Usyk's rematch clause. He aims to 'rip the belts back'

Eddie Hearn revealed that ANTHONY JOSHUA activated his Oleksandr Uzyk rematch clause.

After losing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the British star saw his WBA, IBF and WBO belts taken away by the Ukrainian.

AJ, 31, will have the opportunity to win them back immediately.

Hearn stated to DAZN's Maya Jama that "Today, we officially activated the rematch for Oleksandr Uzyk fight. We'll see it early next spring."

"He's back in the game, and we want him to be a three-time world champion.

"Some niggles in camp AJ, Usyk had a bad haircut, it's officially triggered. We'll sit down and discuss K2 Promotions, and I believe March is when we'll see that fight.

"This was a disappointing loss for a pound-for pound great.

"We don’t need to get back into the game with 10-rounders. He needs to rip off Usyk's belts."

The 34-year-old new champ is eager for the rematch in Kiev, his home country.

Hearn wants the bout to be held in the UK, despite the Middle East's offers.

The BBC was informed by the Matchroom promoter that "Usyk mentioned Kiev in Ukraine as a possible venue, and we will consider all options."

"AJ was excited to hear about it when he heard it.

"I would love to do it back here in the UK, and we've received offers from the Middle East, but we will look for the best opportunity for both fighters.

"I don’t believe the venue matters in how AJ must fight."