Oleksandr Usyk has sent a message to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) as he continues to push his claim for a shot at the world heavyweight title.
Usyk has been mandatory challenger for the title held by Anthony Joshua since he moved up to boxing’s marquee weight class in 2019.
He had been expected to get a shot at Joshua after AJ disposed of Kubrat Pulev in London last December. But the prospect of a Tyson Fury vs Joshua superfight scuppered that.
Instead the WBO was ready to sanction Fury vs Joshua for the title with Usyk then meeting unbeaten Brit Joe Joyce for the interim title.
Usyk vs Joyce at an impasse
Joyce’s promoter Frank Warren explained recently that Usyk vs Joyce was in limbo with that fight depending on how negotiations play out for Fury vs Joshua.
Warren said: “Everything’s at an impasse now. They’ve give a period of time to allow for the Tyson vs AJ fight to take place. If it doesn’t, then they’re going to to tell AJ that he’s gotta make his defence against his mandatory, who is Usyk.”
I'm still waiting for the @WorldBoxingOrg @PacoValcarcel decision, when do you think it will happen ? pic.twitter.com/pMDxbkCJ72
— Alexander Usyk (@usykaa) May 11, 2021
Former cruiserweight king Usyk (18-0) is clearly frustrated by the wait to find out who he will fight next – be it Joyce for the interim title or AJ for the title.
Usyk sends a message
He took to social media on Tuesday to send a message to the sanctioning body, explaining: “I’m still waiting for the @WorldBoxingOrg @PacoValcarcel decision, when do you think it will happen?”
The Ukrainian maestro has not fought since October 31 last year when he outpointed Dereck Chisora in London. That was his second fight at heavyweight since making the move up from cruiserweight.
It appears likely there will be some movement this week on the Fury vs Joshua front. Contracts are signed for a two-fight deal but the venue and date is yet to be signed off. If that does not happen this week it remains possible Fury will find another opponent for this summer – potentially that trilogy against Deontay Wilder.
If that happens then it likely Usyk would end up going direct to Joshua for an immediate title shot.
