Oleksandr Usyk’s training preparations hit rocks ahead of Anthony Joshua fight as he is unable to return to Ukraine camp

The WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion had been in England this week as talks continue with AJ over a fight date and location for their upcoming bout.

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua later this yearCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Joshua was outpointed by Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in SeptemberCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

It’s believed the dust-up is likely to rake place in late May or June with Tottenham among the frontrunners to host the event.

In a blow for Usyk, the Daily Mail have claimed that he will not be returning to his regular training base just outside of Kiev.

That is due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after Vladimir Putin declared war on their neighbouring country.

Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk has told the Mail that he has ‘no idea’ what The Cat will do for his preparations.

And he suggested to them that coming back to Ukraine to train will be ‘impossible’.

Usyk could now relocate to Oxnard, California, where he and training partner Vasyl Lomachenko have had camps in the past.

The former undisputed cruiserweight champion is back in Ukraine where he has pleaded for ‘no war’ with Russia.

Posting a video on Instagram captioned ‘NO WAR’, Usyk wrote: “Some wrote to me that I ran away.

“I didn’t, I was at work but I’m back, I’m home.

“Friends, we have to unite because it’s a hard time right now and I’m really emotional and worry about my country, and our people.

“Friends, we have to stop this war, all of us together.”

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia will have no impact on Joshua’s rematch with Usyk.