12-13-2019, 03:52 PM
WBO orders Anthony Joshua to fight Oleksandr Usyk
13:36, Dec 13 2019
As expected, two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is under instant pressure to start defending his belts.
Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the WBO to defend their heavyweight belt against the Ukraine's mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua reclaimed the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO belts when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua in their rematch in Saudi Arabia last weekend.
He has mandatory challengers in both the WBO and IBF camps.
The WBO has jumped in first, saying the big Brit must let them know by January 10 of his intentions to fight Usyk on or before June 4.
If he decides against that, he will vacate the title. That would mean Usyk could fight either Joseph Parker or Dereck Chisora for the vacant title.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has strongly indicated in the last few days that Joshua's preferred target was the IBF's Kubrat Pulev.
Hearn has both Usyk and Parker on his books so could keep the WBO title "in house" at Matchroom Boxing if he set up that fight, providing Joshua with a chance to fight the winner at a more convenient time.
Joshua has said he was against vacating any belt but the tricky timelines might dictate that.
Parker is raring to go, having recently returned home from a training camp in Las Vegas, vowing to stay in shape for any opportunity that might arise in a three-fight deal with Hearn that has two fights left on it.
Parker's manager David Higgins last week told the WBO convention in Tokyo: "If the belt becomes vacant, he would like to raise his hand and fight Usyk for the vacant title."
Usyk, totally dominant at cruiserweight, has stepped up to heavyweight and had just one fight, a win over Chazz Witherspoon in Chicago in October.
13:36, Dec 13 2019
As expected, two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is under instant pressure to start defending his belts.
Anthony Joshua has been ordered by the WBO to defend their heavyweight belt against the Ukraine's mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua reclaimed the WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO belts when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr Joshua in their rematch in Saudi Arabia last weekend.
He has mandatory challengers in both the WBO and IBF camps.
The WBO has jumped in first, saying the big Brit must let them know by January 10 of his intentions to fight Usyk on or before June 4.
If he decides against that, he will vacate the title. That would mean Usyk could fight either Joseph Parker or Dereck Chisora for the vacant title.
Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has strongly indicated in the last few days that Joshua's preferred target was the IBF's Kubrat Pulev.
Hearn has both Usyk and Parker on his books so could keep the WBO title "in house" at Matchroom Boxing if he set up that fight, providing Joshua with a chance to fight the winner at a more convenient time.
Joshua has said he was against vacating any belt but the tricky timelines might dictate that.
Parker is raring to go, having recently returned home from a training camp in Las Vegas, vowing to stay in shape for any opportunity that might arise in a three-fight deal with Hearn that has two fights left on it.
Parker's manager David Higgins last week told the WBO convention in Tokyo: "If the belt becomes vacant, he would like to raise his hand and fight Usyk for the vacant title."
Usyk, totally dominant at cruiserweight, has stepped up to heavyweight and had just one fight, a win over Chazz Witherspoon in Chicago in October.