Promoter Frank Warren would have no qualms matching his big heavyweight hope Daniel Dubois against WBO No.1 contender Oleksandr Usyk.
Former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk continued his heavyweight campaign with a clear win over the division’s gatekeeper Dereck Chisora at the weekend. But that victory did nothing to persuade Warren that Usyk is a threat to Dubois or heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Dubois, who meets British rival Joe Joyce on November 28, is currently the WBO’s No.2 rated contender and Warren is more than happy to match his man with Usyk, should the opportunity arise.
“[Usyk] did what he had to do. He fought Dereck Chisora and Dereck always fights well enough to come second in big fights, that’s what he always does. It was a yardstick to look at, for me, as far as Usyk is concerned,” Warren told Talksport. “Usyk was a tremendous cruiserweight, I just don’t think he’s going to do the business at the top level at heavyweight.
“He’s not big enough and I think to myself, ‘What would’ve happened if he’d been in there with Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua?’ I would’ve put Daniel Dubois in with him ages ago.
“Daniel is ranked No.2 by the WBO now, Usyk is the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua and Anthony is talking about vacating the title, rather than fighting Usyk. I don’t know if he’s going do that, but if he does then that means Daniel will fight Usyk, providing he beats Joe Joyce on November 28. If that fight’s there, I would do that in a heartbeat.”