Oleksandr Usyk Will Fight For WBO Title Next Says His Promoter

Oleksandr Usyk‘s next bout will be for the WBO heavyweight title, regardless of who holds the strap. So says Alexander Krassyuk, who co-promotes the Ukrainian alongside Matchroom Boxing. Usyk is coming off a recent victory over the UK’s Derek Chisora. The 33-year-old is currently the mandatory challenger for Anthony Joshua‘s WBO title.

“Usyk has gone through eight months of hard work getting prepared for Derek Chisora. Now he needs to step back a bit and get some treatment for his body and relaxation for his mind,” Krassyuk said, speaking to 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.”

Joshua’s scheduled to defend his WBO strap, when he meets Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev on December 12. However, if Joshua wins that fight, there have been talks of a clash with WBC champion Tyson Fury.

A Fury-Joshua matchup could see Joshua relinquishing his WBO title if the British fighter and his team wanted to make that fight happen instead of facing Usyk. There is a chance that the WBO would allow an exemption,as the fight with Fury would be a unification bout. However, that cannot be taken for granted.

If Joshua did give up the belt, Usyk would likely face the winner of this weekend’s Daniel Dubois-Jo Joyce contest.

“Before thinking of Dubois or anyone else, we need to know AJ vs. Pulev winner and their strategy for the future,” Krassyuk added.

“But the thing I can make really clear is that we will be pushing hard to put our mandatory position in effect.”

The heavyweight division is shaping up to be full of intrigue in the coming months. Especially with Deontay Wilder now saying he wants his trilogy bout with Fury. However, what does seem certain is that Usyk and his team are expecting a title shot in early 2021.

Do you want to see Usyk in a title shot next?