Eddie Hearn’s gut feeling tells him that the most significant geopolitical crisis in the world at the moment will not end up having an adverse effect on the upcoming heavyweight title rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.

Last week, Russia launched an invasion of its southwest neighbor Ukraine, setting off one of the largest military conflicts on European soil in recent memory.

The war directly affects one of the bout’s participants, WBA/WBO/IBF titlist Usyk, a Ukrainian citizen and a celebrity in his homeland.

Understandably, Hearn has had to field questions about whether or not Usyk-Joshua will take place as scheduled. Another fight of Hearn’s that has been the subject of inquiry is the recently announced May 7 light heavyweight title bout between Canelo Alvarez and Dmitry Bivol for Bivol’s WBA strap. Born in Kyrgyzstan to parents of Moldovan and Korean descent, Bivol lives in Russia and fights under the Russian flag.  

“People keep saying will this affect Canelo against Bivol, will this affect Oleksandr Usyk (against Anthony Joshua), I can’t tell you what Oleksandr Usyk is thinking in his mind,” Hearn told IFL TV. “For me, the answer is no.”

The 35-year-old Usyk made news after he revealed that he had returned to Ukraine early on in the invasion from a business trip, showing solidarity with his people; Usyk had been in London dealing with the Joshua rematch. He pleaded “no war” in an emotional appeal he posted on his Instagram directed to the citizens of Russia and its president Vladimir Putin.

Hearn suggested that if Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) has to carry out his training camp in a foreign country, he will have to do so in order to properly prepare for defending his titles against 32-year-old Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs).  Usyk won the first meeting last September at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London by 12-round unanimous decision. Hearn has said elsewhere that contracts from both parties have been signed and that all that remains on the agenda is to finalize the date and location for the bout. 

“I would guess Oleksandr Usyk will start camp in about four week’s time,” Hearn said. “I guess, like Dmitry Bivol who will start camp in Los Angeles this weekend or on Monday – if that’s what’s required of Usyk, he will do the same.”

While Hearn does not expect the Usyk-Joshua rematch to be postponed in any fashion, he expressed some uncertainty, given the volatility of the current predicament.

“It’s a very sensitive subject and I can’t tell you what certain individuals are doing, whose country is at war, but I don’t expect it to have any bearing on Anthony Joshua versus Oleksandr Usyk,” Hearn said.

Usyk’s return to Ukraine dovetails with the announcement made by his countrymen Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, who have been trying to marshall global support for their country. The Hall of Fame heavyweight brothers are two of the most recognizable faces in Ukraine. The older brother, Vitali, is mayor of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and has said that he is prepared to take up arms to fend off the Russians.

“I feel like no (Usyk-Joshua should move forward as planned), but again it’s a sensitive issue,” Hearn said. “Your country is at war. You’ve seen Wladmir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko talking about going to fight in the army. Wow.”