Oleksandr Usyk’s team have expressed their desire for a heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua in 2019 and promoter Eddie Hearn has assured on his readiness to bankroll the fight.
Usyk holds ambitions of challenging for titles in the top division and Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn has already secured a multi-fight deal with Usyk.
Usyk told reporters he could become Joshua’s second opponent next year, with the unified heavyweight champion due to make his first defence at Wembley Stadium on April 13.
“Basically if Usyk wins this fight, and probably if he loses this fight, he goes to heavyweight straight away.
“That’s (Joshua) the one they want.”
Discussing a possible timescale for a Usyk fight, Hearn added: “Joshua will only fight twice next year, so it will be the one
after.
“It won’t be the first one, because I think Usyk will want to fight at heavyweight first. There are loads of fights out there for him.”
Joshua still hopes his opening fight of the year could be against Deontay Wilder, who defends his WBC title against Tyson Fury on December 1, while Dillian Whyte is also being considered as an alternative opponent for
April.
But Joshua has already identified a method to defeat Usyk, if they share the ring in the
future.
“Usyk is really like a perfect boxer,” Joshua said. “I hope he is working on his counter punches as well, because that’s the way to knock him out I think.”
