OLEKSANDR USYK’S team believes Anthony Joshua will vacate the WBO belt to fight Tyson Fury.
Usyk is the manadatory challenger for that strap – but he might not get the chance to fight the Watford-born heavyweight.
Oleksandr Usyk is the WBO mandatory challenger – but he may not get to fight Anthony Joshua for that beltCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Should AJ made a successful defence of his world titles against Kubrat Pulev in December, and Tyson Fury beats Deontay Wilder in their trilogy, it would set up the Battle of Britain.
But Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk’s co-promoter, believes Joshua will have to vacate the WBO belt for that to happen.
Speaking to MyBettingSites.com, Krassyuk said: “Usyk is mandatory for the WBO title, he is not mandatory for AJ personally.
“He is mandatory for the belt and whoever owns the belt is the possible opponent.
“Many people from a boxing audience would love to see Usyk and AJ, especially here in the Ukraine but also throughout the world.
“[But] Fury-AJ is much more anticipated because they are two British guys, two heavyweights.
“Maybe there’s a chance that they’re going to fight for the undisputed championship, which has never happened before in the history of boxing. This is a cherry on the cake.”
Fury revealed at the start of coronavirus lockdown that the two Brits had agreed on two fights in 2021.
Anthony Joshua met Tyson Fury this summer in Marbella – could they meet next year in the ring?Credit: Refer to Caption
Usyk has been the WBO’s mandatory since he decided to move up to heavyweight after being crowned undisputed cruiserweight champ.
But Krassyuk thinks his man Usyk will miss out on the chance to hand Joshua his second pro defeat.
He added: “If there is a chance for AJ to fight Fury, I think he will vacate, that’s my personal feeling.
“We agreed that as soon as AJ fights Pulev and wins, he will have to face Usyk. This is our agreement but never on paper.
“This is what we agreed with Eddie when we gave the road for Pulev and AJ for the IBF.
“But there was also a term in the case the Fury fight turns out – then AJ may choose Fury as the principal fight.
“But one remark: it [AJ versus Fury] cannot happen for the WBO belt, AJ would have to vacate.
“Anything could happen, things like Fury Wilder III may end up in favour of Wilder and if it goes that way Fury versus AJ is not actual anymore.
“It’s so uncertain, that making plans now is stupid.”
Before Usyk can start thinking about a WBO title tilt he has the ominous presence of Dereck Chisora to deal with.
The two larger-than-life personalities will fight on October 31.
Oleksandr Usyk bizarrely calls out Derek Chisora while CANOEING as he targets October 31 showdown with Brit boxer
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
