ANTHONY JOSHUA has met with Oleksandr Usyk’s team for talks over a blockbuster 2020 world title fight.
Usyk is the WBO’s mandatory challenger for Joshua, and while the IBF want their man Kubrat Pulev to get the shot, fight fans seem to prefer Usyk vs Joshua.
Anthony Joshua and Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn met with Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk in LondonCredit: Twitter @eddiehearn
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn, Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk and Joshua himself all shared a photo of the three of them together in London on Thursday.
It will only increase speculation that the former cruiserweight undisputed champ could be next in line for AJ, who won back his world titles by beating Andy Ruiz Jr in the rematch in December.
And boxing fans were licking their lips at the prospect of Joshua vs Usyk.
Jonathan Powell wrote that it was “the biggest heavyweight fight outside Wilder/Fury”.
FIGHT FANS TIP USYK
Chad Boxall posted that it was “very interesting”, while Halimah Mir wrote: “Can’t wait for fight news.”
Many believe Usky would beat Joshua too.
One boxing fan wrote: “Usyk will drop AJ.”
And Alex Metcalfe agreed, writing: “Usyk will be too good for Joshua.”
Speaking to Boxing Scene, Krassyuk said: “If Usyk’s next fight is not Joshua most likely it would mean that he relinquished his WBO title to avoid facing Usyk.
“And of course, Usyk would prefer to challenge the vacant WBO Heavyweight title versus the highest available opponent designated by the sanctioning body.”
CHISORA IN FRAME FOR USYK
If Joshua opts to go for the Pulev fight, that could see him vacate the WBO strap – that Usyk would fight for.
One possible opponent for the Ukrainian should that happen is Brit Derek Chisora.
“War” beat David Price in his latest bout with a fourth-round stoppage at the O2 Arena in October.
After just one heavyweight clash so far, beating 38-year-old Chazz Witherspoon, Usyk could face Chisora in a fight that would surely get plenty of interest in the UK and America.
Chisora – managed by David Haye – was due to take on Parker last month before the New Zealander pulled out following a spider bite, meaning Price stepped in as a late replacement.
And after dispatching his fellow Brit, War called out Usyk, telling Sky Sports: “You know what, I want to have that fight. Yeah, I would take it, 100 per cent. No shadiness, nothing, I’ll take that.
“Him and his team they need to stop juggling balls, it’s not a circus.
“Come and do what you need to do. Forget the juggling balls and dancing.
“Nobody wants to see a dancing show. Come Dancing with the Stars? This is a boxing match.”
Oleksandr Usyk dominated the cruiserweight division, and has now moved up to heavyweightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anthony Joshua responds to question about fighting Oleksandr Usyk next
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
