Eddie Hearn planning Oleksandr Usyk vs Alexander Povetkin for Ukrainian champion’s heavyweight debut
The undisputed cruiserweight king is set to move up to heavyweight
Eddie Hearn has declared that he is currently working on a sumptuous heavyweight debut fight for Oleksandr Usyk against Alexander Povetkin.
The masterful Ukrainian cruiserweight cemented his dominance in boxing’s second-biggest weight class in 2018 by winning every title the division had on offer.
Usyk became the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO undisputed world champion last year, and is now seemingly seeking new challenges in 2019.
Speaking to , Hearn revealed that plans are being put in place for the 32-year-old to fight Russian heavyweight Povetkin, potentially on May 18 in Chicago, USA.
The British promoter inked a co-promotional deal with Oleksandr Usyk before his UK bout against Tony Bellew and is now looking to build a profile for him in America.
While it is not yet finalised, it seems evermore likely that Usyk will move up to heavyweight next with Alexander Povetkin the proposed opponent.
Povetkin may not be the biggest possible foe in terms of sheer heavyweight size, but he is absolutely no pushover for a debut fight in the division.
The 39-year-old Russian has only been beaten twice in his 36-fight career – to Wladimir Klitschko in 2013 and Anthony Joshua last September.