Alexander Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) wants to take advantage of his position as an official contender for the WBO heavyweight title, owned by Anthony Joshua (23-1, 21 KOs) as soon as possible, and does not intend to give up his chance to meet AJ to Tyson Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs).
“I am a mandatory contender for the belt, so I have to be Anthony's next opponent. Now he can either give up the belt and fight Fury, or fight me," the undefeated Ukrainian said in an interview to Sky Sports after defeating Dereck Chisora on points last Saturday.
When asked to relay the message to Joshua directly, Usyk replied, "I would tell him: give me the belt or fight me!"
At the moment Anthony Joshua will have to defend his IBF title in the fight against Kubrat Pulev (28-1, 14 KOs) on December 12. British promoter Eddie Hearn does not hide that he would like his protégé, if he wins in the next fight, to cross gloves not with Usyk, but with Fury, and will turn to the WBO leadership for consent to such a fight. Joshua, in addition to the WBO and IBF belts, also owns the WBA title, so his clash with WBC champion Fury will be a fight for the title of undisputed heavyweight champion.
