Frank Warren has claimed that there is still a way for Oleksandr Usyk to face Tyson Fury rather than his mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois.
The Ukrainian – who won the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles from Anthony Joshua – is set to face Dubois – the WBA Regular champion – after failed negotiations to fight Tyson Fury in an undisputed bout.
Fury-Usyk collapsing is yet another stain on the sport that has historically failed to make the biggest fights happen, and has left fans fuming.
Warren, seemingly intent on not letting the fight die completely, told talkBOXING that there were two ways it could still be made.
One was for Usyk to fulfil his mandatories and keep winning, and the other was that Dubois might entertain a step aside fee to allow Usyk to forego that challenge and continue to pursue Fury’s WBC belt.
“If Usyk remains undefeated then there is a chance to get that done if it goes on in Saudi. The other option – Daniel Dubois is now the official mandatory – if there was a step aside situation we could do the fight in July.”
At this stage in the process, the statement will do nothing to appease fans who watched the chance of a four-belt heavyweight champ sink in a sea of petty digs and public demands.
Negotiations for Dubois to get his shot have reportedly begun, and it will be Warren dealing with any step aside offer that comes from the Ukrainian’s side.
Whether or not they make one or just get their man active after the Fury debacle remains to be seen. Whilst Usyk has options, the Brit’s plans are unclear as of writing.