Alexander Krassyuk, the co-promoter of the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk, believes the fight won’t happen in 2021.
Ukrainian Usyk’s team has been adamant that AJ must fight Usyk immediately after his December clash with Kubrat Pulev, which is also mandatory for the IBF.
But Krassyuk admitted he believes the four-belt ruler will ditch the WBO belt if a Tyson Fury fight presents itself, reports World Boxing News.
“Usyk is mandatory for the WBO title, he is not mandatory for AJ personally,” Krassyuk told MyBettingSites.com. “He is mandatory for the belt and whoever owns the belt is the possible opponent.”
“Many people from a boxing audience would love to see Usyk and AJ, especially here in Ukraine, but also throughout the world.”
“Fury-AJ is much more anticipated because they are two British guys, two heavyweights. Maybe there’s a chance that they’re going to fight for the undisputed championship (five belts), which has never happened before in the history of the sport. A cherry on the cake (but unlikely unless they wait for Usyk to have his WBO shot).”
“If there is a chance for AJ to fight Fury, I think he will vacate, that’s my personal feeling.”
“We agreed that as soon as AJ fights Pulev and wins, he will have to face Usyk. This is our agreement but never on paper. This is what we agreed with Eddie when we gave the road for Pulev and AJ for the IBF.”
“But there was also a term in the case the Fury fight turns out. Then AJ may choose Fury as the top fight. But one remark from me, it (Fury vs. Joshua) cannot happen for the WBO belt. AJ would have to vacate.”
“Anything could happen; things like Fury Wilder III may end up in favor of Wilder. If it goes that way, Fury vs. AJ is not a possibility anymore.”
“It’s so uncertain that making plans now is stupid,” he added.
