OLEKSANDR USYK engaged in a ringside exchange with Anthony Joshua after beating Derek Chisora.
Usyk saw past Chisora over 12 rounds to retain his spot as AJ’s WBO mandatory challenger.
Oleksandr Usyk is Anthony Joshua’s WBO mandatory challenger Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
Joshua was ringside to watch Usyk beat Derek Chisora Credit: Sky Sports
And with the former cruiserweight king well within his sights, Joshua took up a ringside spot to watch his competition in action.
After the final bell, Matchroom cameras caught the heavyweight rivals briefly addressing each other.
Usyk, 33, shouted to Joshua: “Anthony hello, how are you my friend?”
AJ, 31, replied: “I’m coming Usyk!”
Joshua returns to the ring on December 12 in an IBF mandated defence against Kubrat Pulev, 39.
Tyson Fury, 32, is due to make his UK homecoming a week later, with Agit Kabayel, 28, sent a contract to face the WBC champion.
Should the pair prevail, they are lined up for an undisputed title decider next year, having already verbally agreed a doubler header.
But Usyk is ready to scupper the plans by demanding Joshua either face him beforehand or vacate the WBO belt.
Eddie Hearn – who promotes the two – has already confirmed if AJ cannot face Fury after Pulev, then he will ‘one million per cent’ fight Usyk.
The possible showdown encouraged unified boss Joshua to take some time out of training and go on a scouting mission.
He told Sky Sports: “I need to see my competition in the flesh.
“I’m in my own training camp but it’s a good time for me to learn what else is out there.
“It’s a business opportunity. I want to come down and see what my competition is doing.
“As much as it is to support Derek, it is to see how good my mandatory challenger will be.”
Usyk saw off Chisora over 12 rounds Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
Despite Joshua and Fury potentially holding up the division for their mammoth Battle of Britain, Usyk is not concerned.
The Ukrainian southpaw is instead adamant AJ will be forced to first face him, or else be stripped of his title.
Usyk said: “I am the mandatory for Joshua so he has two options
“One; to fight me. “Two; to vacate and to go and fight Fury.
“Either he fights me or relinquishes.”I am waiting. I am ready.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
