WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and mandatory Oleksandr Usyk have been given an extension by the World Boxing Organization to try and negotiate a deal before the fight goes to a purse bid.
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn revealed on Thursday that they’d given a “very fair” offer to Team Usyk for a fight. Hearn is hoping they agree to the offer, but if not, AJ is prepared to move on and potentially fight one of these three heavyweights:
1. Dillian Whyte
2. Andy Ruiz Jr
3. Luis Ortiz
If Joshua vacates, Usyk would likely face Joe Joyce for the vacant WBO title.
That would be a tough match-up for Usyk, as he would be pressured the entire time, and he might gas out due to the weight he’s packed on his small frame recently.
“Usyk is our preferred opponent, we want to hold onto the belts, but as I’ve seen in some interviews, there is a bit of tiredness of being told who to fight and what split they’re going to get and the inability to have flexibility in AJ’s schedule,” said Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn to iFL TV.
“At the same time, he hasn’t worked this year. Do give them up. So, we’ve made Usyk which we feel is a very fair offer. We don’t have a deal yet.
“Again, it’s still our intention in making that fight, but if we can’t reach a deal, then we’ll make other plans.
“AJ is happy to fight Usyk. We want to fight Usyk. If we can make a deal, we’ll take that fight. If we can’t, we’ll move on, but I do think and hope that’s the fight that happens next,” Hearn said.
Hearn has a little more time to try and bang out a deal with Usyk’s management before the fight goes to a purse bid. It’ll be interesting to see if Joshua chooses to hold onto the WBO belt if it goes to a purse bid or if he’ll vacate.