Oleksandr Usyk’s co-promoter Alexander Krassyuk has reiterated that the Ukrainian will enforce his WBO mandatory opportunity early in 2021, with No.2 contender Daniel Dubois waiting in the wings.
WBO No.1 Usyk will wait for the outcome of champion Anthony Joshua’s clash with Kubrat Pulev on December 12 before deciding his next move.
But that is almost certain to enforce an immediate shot at Joshua, should he be victorious against Pulev, and fragment the heavyweight titles before AJ’s proposed unification clash with WBC king Tyson Fury next year.
If WBO No.2 Dubois beats British rival Joe Joyce at the weekend then Usyk vs Dubois looks increasingly likely for the vacant crown in 2021. A Joyce victory could see him in the opposing corner against former amateur conqueror Usyk.
“Usyk has gone through eight months of hard work getting prepared for Dereck Chisora [W12]. Now he needs to step back a bit and get some treatment for his body and relaxation for his mind,” Krassyuk told Sky Sports.
“Hopefully, he will be ready to return in April 2021, and hopefully AJ will be around to comply with WBO mandatory regulations. If not – we will be fighting for the vacant WBO title with a contender appointed by WBO.
“Before thinking of Dubois or anyone else we need to know AJ vs Pulev winner and their strategy for the future.
“But the thing I can make really clear is that we will be pushing hard to put our mandatory position in effect.”