Oleksandr Usyk set to fight Tyson Fury if Anthony Joshua step aside amid activating the rematch clause.
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk is ready to fight Tyson Fury if British boxer Anthony Joshua step aside.
Usyk defeated Joshua to claim the belts but the Brit has activated the rematch clause in other to reclaim is title.
The rematch is set to take place in 2022, although a date and location is yet to be finalised.
Fury, the unbeaten WBC champion who defeated Deontay Wilder twice, has no rival for his wish of a return in February or March because Joshua and Usyk are seemingly on a collision course, and Dillian Whyte has not been confirmed as his mandatory challenger.
Usyk’s promoter Krassyuk told Sky Sports about the notion of Joshua opening up the division by changing his plans and accepting a different fight: “The talks on AJ’s step aside have been around since Fury KO’d Wilder.
“I heard that Joshua could consider stepping aside if the money is right as he feels respect to the division and is willing to let the undisputed heavyweight championship happen.
“Usyk says that he can fight Fury next if the offer is right and if AJ allows to do so.”
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn did not comment in response to Krassyuk, but had told Sky Sports that plans were being put in place for the second fight with Usyk.
“AJ is already in camp physically and mentally for the Usyk rematch, and it’s all he has thought about since the night of the first fight,” Hearn said last month.
Fury and Usyk have never lost in 51 combined fights and own every belt in the heavyweight division.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes Fury in the US, previously told Sky Sports: “If Joshua decides not to exercise his rematch against Usyk and decides to step aside, the fight we would like to make is between Usyk and Fury.
“Then Joshua can fight the winner of the undisputed fight.
“That’s what Tyson would like. And I represent Tyson. That is his preference.”
