Oleksandr Usyk will be ordered to face Daniel Dubois should the challenger prove he is injury free.
Dubois was stunned by a knockdown in his December 2022 fight against Kevin Lerena. Although he went on to win it in three, the 25-year-old’s team reported that he had suffered a torn ACL on his fall.
Reports followed to say that ‘Dynamite’ Dubois could be out of the ring for up to six months, and it may interrupt the fight that could change his career.
Usyk – who holds the WBA belt as well as the WBO and IBF – was deep in negotiations to face Tyson Fury, however talks fell apart and both teams are now moving on.
The Ukrainian has three mandatory challengers waiting, the first being Dubois and the WBA. The sanctioning body’s president, Gilberto Mendoza, confirmed that they would be taking steps to make that fight next
Usky v. Fury update: @WBABoxing was notified the unification talks have stop. Next step championship committee will request Dubouis medical report on the ACL injury.
— Gilberto J Mendoza (@GilberticoWBA) March 24, 2023
Frank Warren, who promotes both Dubois and Fury, looks set to be entering straight back into negotiations with Usyk’s team after the failed Fury talks.
Warren told Boxing Scene that they would comply with the WBA’s request and that Dubois would win the unified titles via stoppage.
“I don’t think they believe he is ready but believe you me, Dubois is ready to go. If they think they can sidestep this fight with Fury and not fight Daniel then they are wrong.
“He’s fully fit and healthy and will be fulfilling what the WBA have asked of him. I think he will catch Usyk and knock him out … When they come against Daniel, it means he either loses his belt to Daniel in a fight or he has to vacate it.”
The confirmation comes amidst rumours that Usyk would rather a big money fight against former champion, Deontay Wilder, in Saudi Arabia.