Oleksandr Usyk next fight: When and where heavyweight champion could return as Frank Warren confirms talks after Tyson Fury clash collapses
Negotiations for Oleksandr Usyk’s undisputed fight with Tyson Fury have collapsed and now the WBA heavyweight champion is set to face a mandatory challenger.
The saga between Usyk and Fury came to a dramatic end after talks over a fight on April 29 at Wembley Stadium were called off.
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An undisputed bout with Fury would have taken priority over any title challenge but now Usyk will have to face a new opponent.
The Ukrainian has two other belts, the WBO and IBF, but the WBA are first in line and so if he wants to hold onto the title, he must fight Daniel Dubois next.
Dubois became the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBA heavyweight world title after beating Trevor Bryan last year.
Who could Oleksandr Usyk fight next?
Fight negotiations are already underway for Dubois to take on Usyk, according to promoter Frank Warren.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Warren said: “Negotiations were ordered, if you recall they said if we don’t get it done by April 1 then Daniel is mandatory. We’re on it, we’re negotiating it.”
He believes the fight could take place in the UK in May or June this year.
And also confirmed that if Usyk doesn’t take the fight he will have to vacate his title.
Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk has made it clear that if he did not think Daniel Dubois could beat his fighter, he would not make the clash.
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“Why not go for the big one now? This is it, this is all the belts and the glory and everything that goes with it.
“So, I’m 100 per cent going for it and I believe I can knock him out.
“He’s never faced a fighter like me or been hit by a fighter like me. I think I can knock him out and bring them belts back.”
As well as Dubois, Deontay Wilder is also a possible next opponent for Usyk.
The former WBC heavyweight world champion has also been asked about the chances of him facing the Ukrainian next.
He said: “A lot of people could be next.
“The great thing about this and the business of boxing is that it’s a worldwide event and nobody is safe.
“With that being said, I want the best of the best and we’ll see what happens when I step in the ring.”
But Usyk's promoter, Krassyuk believes that Joe Joyce would actually be the 'toughest' opponent his man could face, so that could be one to keep an eye on.
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