EDDIE HEARN has revealed a “monstrous” bout on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs Dillian Whyte rematch which will decide Oleksandr Uysk’s next fight.
Due to Usyk, 36, being the unified WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, he has a number of challenges to deal with.
The Ukrainian is in line to fight Daniel Dubios for his mandatory challenge of the WBA on August 26 in Poland.
Should he come through this he will then be ordered to defend his IBF title, with the current challenger being Filip Hrgovic – who beat Zhilei Zhang to the position last August.
However, the 31-year-old is not intent to sit idly by, instead returning to action against Australian Demsey McKean on the undercard of Joshua vs Whyte II at the O2 Arena in London on August 12.
Should McKean, 32, beat the Croatian heavyweight, then he will become Usyk’s next mandatory challenge.
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Promoter Hearn said: “We have a monstrous night of heavyweight boxing in store for fight fans around the world on Saturday August 12 live from the sold-out O2 in London
“Old foes Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte meet again in a must-win clash at the top of the bill and I’m excited to confirm the first two undercard additions of what will be a stacked card.
“The IBF’s number one ranked Heavyweight Filip Hrgovic returns a year on from his final eliminator win over Zhilei Zhang in Saudi Arabia.
“El Animal fights in the UK for the first time as a professional against Australia’s unbeaten Demsey McKean who secures the biggest fight of his career.
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“The Romford Bull Johnny Fisher begins his assault on the domestic heavyweight scene when he takes on Harry Armstrong for the vacant Southern Area title, and there’s much more to be announced soon.”
Hrgovic added: “The heavyweight champions cannot avoid me any longer and once I have defeated Demsey McKean on August 12, they will have no other option but to face me.
“I have waited patiently, but the game is up, El Animal is coming for you and is ready to take the belts back to Croatia.
“McKean will be a tough and strong opponent, but he has never faced anyone as powerful and skilful as me.
“August 12, at The O2 in London, is the night the heavyweight division starts to change.”
McKean also declared: “This is what it’s all about, the big fights.
“I’ve been grinding a big portion of my life for a fight like this.
“I’m one win away from fighting Usyk for [three] world titles. This is my world title fight.”
However, there are two ways the winner of the bouts between Usyk vs Dubois and Hrgovic vs McKean may not face each other.
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One would be for the winner of Uysk or Dubois to vacate the IBF belt, while the other would be to secure a unification fight with Tyson Fury.
In the meantime, the Gypsy King is scheduled to face ex-UFC star Francis Ngannou in a controversial crossover bout.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
