Anthony Joshua will knock out Oleksandr Usyk 'within six rounds' according to Eddie Hearn

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’.

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