Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois have failed to make a deal as ordered by the WBA, and will now be promoted by the highest bidder.
Usyk won the WBA belt, alongside the IBF and WBO, from Anthony Joshua back in Septermber of 2021 – just his third fight in the heavyweight division. A rematch a year later saw him retain the belts.
The WBA, along with the other sanctioning bodies, permitted their champion to enter talks with WBC top dog, Tyson Fury, for an undisputed fight for the first time in the division since Lennox Lewis.
When those negotiations fell apart, the Ukrainian agreed to instead serve his mandatory obligations, with the WBA first in rotation and its Regular Champion, Daniel Dubois, waiting in the wings.
Talks commenced, and were originally given until May 3 for a deal before purse bids were called. That was extended as the teams negotiated, but has now been brought to an end by the WBA and the bidding process will take place on May 25 in Texas.
The World Boxing Association (WBA) ordered called the Purse bid between heavyweight super champion Oleksandr Usyk (@usykaa) and his mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois (@DynamiteDubois), which will take place on May 25 in Houston, Texas. pic.twitter.com/tjGCNFANeN
— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) May 16, 2023
Dan Rafael reports that the split will be 75-25 in Usyk’s favour, the bids must be at least $1 million, and the champion will be ordered to face number two ranked challenger, Deontay Wilder, should Dubois be unable or choose not to participate.
Usyk’s representatives, K2 Promotions, are expected to make a bid in some form, as well as Dubois’ promoter, Queensberry. Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, who has worked with Usyk on a few occasions, most notable the ‘AJ’ fights, told Boxing Social that he may also be keen.
25-year-old ‘Dynamite’ Dubois won his belt and position in June of last year with a win over Trevor Bryan. He defended it in December with a shaky performance against Kevin Lerena.
The WBA’s announcement comes amidst rumours that he is set to announce a split from trainer, Shane McGuigan. NoSmokeSport.com reports that has sister, Caroline, will stay fighting out of the gym, and Stamina For Sale believe Don Charles may be the man to fill the role for ‘DDD.’
Dubois joined McGuigan’s gym in 2021 after leaving Mark Tibbs, who trained him but never had the honour of being in the corner on fight night.