Team Usyk To Enforce WBO Mandatory Obligations
When you look at the sport’s Pound For Pound Rankings from various sources, Oleksandr Usyk’s (17-0, 14 KOs) name is liable to be near the top of the list. Yet, despite his many accolades and accomplishments, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion is a fighter now caught up in boxing’s political red tape and not in control of his boxing destiny.
According to the WBO, Usyk is the current mandatory heavyweight contender. This places him in line for a shot to face current WBO/WBA/IBF champion Anthony Joshua.
However, it was announced that Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs), who has an upcoming title defense against IBF mandatory meavyweight challenger Kubrat Pulev has verbally agreed to a two-fight deal against WBC champ Tyson Fury in 2021.
USYK CUTTING IN
If team Usyk has any say so, they will not sit idly by while Joshua has heavyweight unification aspirations. They want their shot at the heavyweight title and they want it ASAP.
During an interview with Sky Sports, Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk stated that they fully intend to put pressure on the WBO to enforce a mandatory title defense.
“Usyk’s WBO mandatory had to happen before AJ vs Pulev. But we were flexible and did not put much pressure on, allowing AJ to complete his IBF mandatory while Usyk fights Chisora.
But this was made with regards that the WBO champ has to make his mandatory versus Usyk. It means that either Joshua fights Usyk first or fights Fury without the WBO belt.”
When Usyk announced his move to the heavyweight in 2019, it was highly anticipated. He was even expected to become a major player. Unfortunately, injuries and inactivity due to the quagmire brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has slowed down his momentum.
For the moment, Usyk’s next match is expected to be against Dereck Chisora (32-9, 23 KOs) later this summer. When the former undisputed champion will get his crack at the heavyweight strap is truly unknown. Truth be told, he’s not in control of that, as the business of boxing may supersede what he desires.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
