ANTHONY JOSHUA’S unification bout with Tyson Fury could be in jeopardy thanks to Oleksandr Usyk, according to the Ukrainian’s promoter.
The British heavyweight duo have agreed a two-fight deal for 2021 with the pair holding all the world titles between them as things stand.
Anthony Joshua could be forced to fight Oleksandr Usyk or surrender his WBO title before taking on Tyson FuryCredit: Reuters
Ukrainian Usyk stepped up from cruiserweight to heavyweight last year as will be due a mandatory bout before longCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Gypsy King has the WBC and The Ring crowns and Watford star Joshua is in control of the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts.
Fury will need to beat Deontay Wilder in their trilogy bout while AJ faces IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev before the giants step into the ring together.
But Usyk could scupper the plans to unify the heavyweight division.
The former cruiserweight world champion, 33, may have only had one fight at the maximum weight – beating Chazz Witherspoon in October before his Dereck Chisora showdown was postponed – but is already the No1-ranked WBO challenger.
And therefore he is due a world-title shot with Joshua – or AJ could be forced to vacate the belt before facing Fury.
Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk told Sky Sports: “Usyk’s WBO mandatory had to happen before AJ vs Pulev.
“But we were flexible and did not put much pressure on, allowing AJ to complete his IBF mandatory while Usyk fights Chisora.
“But this was made with regards that the WBO champ (whoever he is after AJ vs Pulev) has to make his mandatory versus Usyk.
“It means that either Joshua fights Usyk first or fights Fury without the WBO belt.”
UNDEFEATED
After winning gold alongside Joshua at the 2012 Olympics, Usyk is undefeated in 17 professional bouts and swept up all the cruiserweight titles before making the step up.
And AJ is well aware of the danger he poses and labelled the Ukrainian a “very credible opponent” after he beat Andy Ruiz Jr in December to reclaim his titles.
Joshua said: “When I’m trying to build my record, I want opponents like Usyk to say that I’ve defeated them.
“He uses his feet very well, and positions his hands well. You can’t hit him because his feet move so well. If you do manage to catch him, [the punches] are brushing off the gloves.
“What I’d do, as I have done already, is study him – from his footwork, his hand positioning, to his openings.
“Then I’d go to former people who have faced him and find out information on how to defeat him.
“Usyk is a great cruiserweight, the undisputed cruiserweight champion, who has decided to move up to heavyweight to mix it with the big boys.
“He’s still exploring the division but he wants a piece of the big pie – he’s more than welcome to try to take this out of my hands.”
Fury knows he must see off Deontay Wilder again in their trilogy bout before taking on British rival AJCredit: PA:Press Association
Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury could set fans back £49.95 on PPV – 150 per cent more than their last fights
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
