Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has established himself as one of the modern-day greats of the sport with wins over British duo Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury solidifying his place in the history books. With little left to prove in the sport, the Ukrainian mastermind has offered his opinion on a potential trilogy showdown with ‘AJ’ and predicted the two-time champion’s clash with Daniel Dubois.
Usyk twice triumphed over Anthony Joshua to begin his reign as a heavyweight champion, winning a unanimous decision in London before a split-decision victory in Riyadh. A first knockout victory as heavyweight champion followed when he was tasked with Daniel Dubois, before a historic career-best win over Fury saw him become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 back in May.
Shortly after, Usyk vacated the IBF title, with Dubois’s stoppage of Filip Hrgovic earning him the right to success Usyk as champion. However, ‘Triple D’ faces a tough first defence of the belt, as he gears up for a third all-British heavyweight title affair in as many years, against Joshua.
Consequently, the victor of Joshua-Dubois has been linked to a meeting with the winner of Usyk’s rematch with Fury to truly determine who the top dog at the weight is.
In an interview with Mail Sport, Usyk admitted that he would be open to a trilogy contest with Joshua, before offering a damning prediction for his upcoming battle with Dubois.
“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course they will want to do a third fight. From my point of view I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world. Anthony did it. And if it happens with God’s help, then I am ready for a third fight with Anthony.
“He [Joshua] has improved a lot psychologically. Of course [I believe he will defeat Daniel Dubois]. I hate predictions, but it is an Olympic champion against a U.K. champion. Anthony is a different level.”
In spite of the links of what would be yet another mammoth heavyweight meeting, ideally involving the elusive match-up of Fury and Joshua, any such encounter would not necessarily be for the undisputed crown. Instead, it is anticipated that Usyk or Fury will vacate at least one title if not two, as the belts inevitably become fragmented once again.
In terms of the WBA belt, Martin Bakole and Zhilei Zhang are rumoured to meet on the Usyk-Fury II undercard and the winner would be expectant of a shot at a possibly vacant title, Meanwhile, WBO mandatory challenger Joseph Parker continues to wait for the opportunity to reign as a world champion for a second time, following his upset victories over both Deontay Wilder and Zhang.
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