Oleksandr Usyk defeated Derek Chisora this past weekend to remain Anthony Joshua’s WBO mandatory challenger.The Ukrainian picked up the win after the fight went the full 12 rounds and won by unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.It seems that Usyk was also well aware that Anthony Joshua was in attendance, as new footage taken by Matchroom Boxing has caught an interaction between the two after Usyk has defeated Chisora.Usyk was caught shouting to Joshua “Anthony hello, how are you my friend?” to which Joshua is heard replying “I’m coming Usyk!”I doubt that was Joshua letting him know he was coming round for a cuppa.
Joshua, however, will have his sights set towards Kubrat Pulev for now, with the two set to face off next month.Tyson Fury is also expected to fight next month, with a contract being sent to Agit Kabayel, who will face the WBC champion on his UK homecoming if he chooses to accept the fight.It is common knowledge now that should Joshua and Fury both win their next fights, they will more than likely face off in an undisputed title fight, with the fight already being verbally agreed.
However, Usyk could cause problems by demanding that Joshua faces him before Fury or that he should vacate the WBO belt.
Eddie Hearn, who promotes for both Joshua and Usyk has already confirmed that if Joshua cannot face Fury after Pulev, then he will face Usyk.
Usyk has other ideas though, he is adament that Joshua will face him after Pulev, stating that:
I am the mandatory for Joshua.
So he has two options, one; to fight me. Two; to vacate and to go fight Fury.
All we can do for now is to wait and see what Joshua will do, depending on him beating Pulev.
Will he drop the WBO belt and go straight into the Fury fight or will he defend his title against Usyk? With the Ukrainian fighter seeming more than up for it.