Promoter Frank Warren intends to begin negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk to fight the winner of the world title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois.
With wins over Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to become the unified heavyweight world champion, Usyk proved he is the best in the division. Now 39 years old, Usyk still plans to fight three more times.
Usyk is next scheduled to face kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven on May 23rd. After that, Usyk hopes to fight the winner of Wardley vs. Dubois and then have a trilogy fight with his great rival Tyson Fury.
Wardley and Dubois will fight for the WBO heavyweight world championship on May 9 in Manchester, and their promoter Frank Warren is open to the winner taking on Usyk in a unification bout.
“We’re positive about it,” Warren told Sky Sports. “There’s a lot of frustration because Fabio wanted it (the previous Usyk fight). But the fact that Oleksandr has come out and said he wants both winners is very encouraging. And certainly for both of them, it gives them a lot of motivation.”
“We have a great relationship with him and if we can do some business, we will definitely do it.”
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Fabio Wardley says he wants to fight Usyk and Tyson Fury after defeating Daniel Dubois
Warren also represents Fury, and it remains a possibility for the former champion to complete the Usyk trilogy.
“If he gets past those fights (with Wardley and Dubois) and then wants to fight Tyson, I would love that fight. The first two fights were close, very exciting fights. Really exciting fights. I’ve been watching it all day, and Tyson wants that fight. He’s told me many times that he would love that fight,” Warren said.
Fury is potentially more likely to fight Usyk this year than boxer Anthony Joshua.
“We don’t know where AJ is. Obviously, we’ve talked a lot about the terrible tragedy and the loss of his good friend, confidante, team member,” Warren recalled.
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Verhoeven is set to fight Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title, and let’s recall back to 2015, when Verhoeven sparred with Fury in the run-up to his victory over Wladimir Klitschko.
“People should not forget about the injuries he sustained. He suffered physical injuries, but he also suffered mental injuries in that fight. Maybe boxing, the fact that he fights, will put him in a better position, I don’t know.”
“I don’t see him fighting Tyson this year or even this year. I may be wrong and I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t believe he will fight.”
However, Usyk’s three-fight plan is likely to come to fruition, and the division will remain active.
“As I’ve always said, this heavyweight division is in good hands,” Warren added. “It’s a great game and we’re at the center of it. We’re creating the game.”
Fury: Can’t beat Usyk on points
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Tyson Fury believes heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will ‘beg’ for a trilogy fight before the end of this year.
Fury has reiterated his desire to face Usyk for a third time, but insists he won’t be able to earn points as he has lost on the scorecards in his last two fights.
Speaking to Gareth A. Davies of the Daily Telegraph, Fury said: “I’d like a third fight, but I know if he stands up at the end of the fight I’m not going to make the decision. They’d better give him the fight. I’ll take the L, just give me the money.”
“If I didn’t knock him out, it would have happened anyway, and if I was going to knock him out, I would have done it a long time ago. He’s a tough guy, and every time he gets hurt, he’s able to get around and escape with his speed and agility. I’m not going to get a decision. And like I said, I thought I won the fight.”
The 37-year-old has sparred with Verhoeven in the past and believes the Dutchman “has a chance” of pulling off a sensational upset victory.
“Before he (Rico Verhoeven) was champion, before I was champion, we were rising as the Hungry Lions. We were both world champions and accomplished a lot in the fight,” Fury said.
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Rico Verhoeven shows off his hand speed ahead of his world title fight with Usyk. Photo from @ricoverhoeven.
“He’s a big guy, a big right-hander, but I’m sure Usyk has played against a lot of big guys with a similar style to Rico. He’s got opportunities, he’s got power, and you never know what he can do there.
“Usyk is 39 years old now, but he’s only had 24 fights since turning pro at the end of 2013, so I think he’ll be fine.”
Watch Dubois-Harper and Scotney-Flores live on Sky Sports on Sunday 5th April.
