Oleksandr Usyk could fight Joe Joyce for ‘interim’ title: Frank Warren

Oleksandr Usyk could fight Joe Joyce for the WBO ‘interim’ title, according to promoter Frank Warren.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joe Joyce? It’s possible.

Usyk, the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua’s WBO heavyweight title, has thus far refused — at least publicly — to step aside so Joshua can fight Tyson Fury for all four major belts in a two-fight series.

However, Frank Warren, Joyce’s promoter, told IFL TV that talks between his No. 2-ranked client and Usyk for the sanctioning body’s “interim” title are underway. Of course, Usyk would have to agree to that.

“We’re working on at the moment, Usyk and Joe Joyce,” Warren said. “I think the WBO will order that as an interim title fight, so we’re working hard to make that happen. The situation is that the WBO have said they’d like to do that fight as an eliminator.

“We have no objection to that, and I don’t think Usyk has. There’s been some preliminary talks and we’ll see where we go from there. I hope [the fight happen]. It’s a good fight and I think whoever wins it, based on his last performance, Joe’s looking really good.

“If he comes through it, it puts the winner in a tremendous position. The eventual winner of the two fights between Tyson and A.J. will have to defend against Joyce or Usyk, or vacate the belt.”

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Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) has suggested he would force Joshua to vacate the title — or get stripped — rather than stepping aside.

The Ukrainian is a former unified cruiserweight champion who is 2-0 as a heavyweight, having stopped Chazz Witherspoon in October 2019 and outpointed Derek Chisora this past October.

Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a break-through 10th-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in November, which put him in the title picture.

Oleksandr Usyk could fight Joe Joyce for ‘interim’ title: Frank Warren

Oleksandr Usyk could fight Joe Joyce for the WBO ‘interim’ title, according to promoter Frank Warren.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joe Joyce? It’s possible.

Usyk, the mandatory challenger to Anthony Joshua’s WBO heavyweight title, has thus far refused — at least publicly — to step aside so Joshua can fight Tyson Fury for all four major belts in a two-fight series.

However, Frank Warren, Joyce’s promoter, told IFL TV that talks between his No. 2-ranked client and Usyk for the sanctioning body’s “interim” title are underway. Of course, Usyk would have to agree to that.

“We’re working on at the moment, Usyk and Joe Joyce,” Warren said. “I think the WBO will order that as an interim title fight, so we’re working hard to make that happen. The situation is that the WBO have said they’d like to do that fight as an eliminator.

“We have no objection to that, and I don’t think Usyk has. There’s been some preliminary talks and we’ll see where we go from there. I hope [the fight happen]. It’s a good fight and I think whoever wins it, based on his last performance, Joe’s looking really good.

“If he comes through it, it puts the winner in a tremendous position. The eventual winner of the two fights between Tyson and A.J. will have to defend against Joyce or Usyk, or vacate the belt.”

[lawrence-related id=17044,16978,15179,15846,17140]

Usyk (18-0, 13 KOs) has suggested he would force Joshua to vacate the title — or get stripped — rather than stepping aside.

The Ukrainian is a former unified cruiserweight champion who is 2-0 as a heavyweight, having stopped Chazz Witherspoon in October 2019 and outpointed Derek Chisora this past October.

Joyce (12-0, 11 KOs) is coming off a break-through 10th-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in November, which put him in the title picture.

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the planned fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Oleksandr Usyk will not get in the way of Anthony Joshua’s planned fights with Tyson Fury.

Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt and the sanctioning body has been clear that it will not allow Joshua to delay a fight with Usyk unless the Ukranian fighter gives his blessing.

Usyk has indicated that he won’t step aside, but Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a solution that is acceptable to everyone.

Hearn spoke to BoxingSocial.com to explain just how hard a bargain Usyk’s team is driving.

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“I think it’s a situation where … this isn’t really a dig at any of his team but some people just have the idea that he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for this fight,” Hearn said.

“Really what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight and if they say, ‘No, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk,’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk and we will try to make him happy to allow that fight to go on.

“It’s like: Do you really want to stop this fight from happening? Now you have to be respected because you’re in the mandatory position, but there is a solution.

“As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and A.J. will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all. But the problem is, when there’s a big fight like this, everyone wants … I’ve got to get my words right here … the greed is unbelievable.”

Hearn suggested that should it come to it, Joshua would be willing to vacate his belt if no deal can be reached.

“It’s going to come down to the fighters,” he said. “The fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees. I heard someone say Usyk wants a percentage of A.J. and Fury’s purse to step aside and I was like, ‘Mate!’

“But there is a solution, and if everyone’s smart together, we can find a solution. And I really want it to be undisputed, because that’s always been the dream for A.J. and we’ll do everything we can.

“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone. And if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘This is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, and we’ll be fair in return, hopefully we can find a solution.”

Eddie Hearn: Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the planned fights between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury won’t be derailed by ‘greedy’ Oleksandr Usyk.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn insists that Oleksandr Usyk will not get in the way of Anthony Joshua’s planned fights with Tyson Fury.

Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO belt and the sanctioning body has been clear that it will not allow Joshua to delay a fight with Usyk unless the Ukranian fighter gives his blessing.

Usyk has indicated that he won’t step aside, but Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, remains hopeful that negotiations will produce a solution that is acceptable to everyone.

Hearn spoke to BoxingSocial.com to explain just how hard a bargain Usyk’s team is driving.

[lawrence-related id=17030,17015,16978,16962,16535]

“I think it’s a situation where … this isn’t really a dig at any of his team but some people just have the idea that he should be getting millions of dollars to step aside for this fight,” Hearn said.

“Really what will happen is, we will apply to the WBO for the undisputed fight and if they say, ‘No, you need to talk to Oleksandr Usyk,’ we will go to Oleksandr Usyk and we will try to make him happy to allow that fight to go on.

“It’s like: Do you really want to stop this fight from happening? Now you have to be respected because you’re in the mandatory position, but there is a solution.

“As I’ve said before, this fight between Fury and A.J. will happen with all the belts or not one belt at all. But the problem is, when there’s a big fight like this, everyone wants … I’ve got to get my words right here … the greed is unbelievable.”

Hearn suggested that should it come to it, Joshua would be willing to vacate his belt if no deal can be reached.

“It’s going to come down to the fighters,” he said. “The fighters are paying millions of dollars in sanction fees. I heard someone say Usyk wants a percentage of A.J. and Fury’s purse to step aside and I was like, ‘Mate!’

“But there is a solution, and if everyone’s smart together, we can find a solution. And I really want it to be undisputed, because that’s always been the dream for A.J. and we’ll do everything we can.

“But we’re not going to be held to ransom by anyone. And if we lose one belt, we’ll probably vacate them all and say, ‘This is boxing now.’ But if everyone is sensible, and we’ll be fair in return, hopefully we can find a solution.”

Anthony Joshua destroys Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds

Anthony Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds to retain his heavyweight titles Saturday in London.

The new version of Anthony Joshua boxes more than he once did. He’s more patient. The immense power is the same, though. And once he has you hurt, well, stand by.

Joshua outboxed Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night at SSE Arena in London, much as he did in his victorious rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. almost exactly a year ago. The heavyweight titleholder gave us more this time, though – more aggression, more passion, more big shots.

The result was impressive: four knockdowns and a ninth-round knockout in the first defense the three titles he regained by outpointed Ruiz.

Many wondered what demeanor Joshua would bring into the ring after his cautious victory over Ruiz, which followed Ruiz’s stunning knockout of Joshua six months earlier.

The champion was more disciplined than cautious, fighting behind a consistent, stiff jab to both the head and body that kept Pulev at a distance favorable to Joshua. And he waited for openings to present themselves. When they did, the Bulgarian challenger paid a price.

The first two-plus rounds were mostly a feel-out session, with Joshua jabbing and Pulev posturing. Then Joshua hurt Pulev with a right hand and everything changed instantly. A flurry of shots resulted in Pulev turning his back on Joshua and he stumbled into a corner, which referee Deon Dwarte ruled a knockdown.

Then one of many right uppercuts Joshua landed in the fight found Pulev’s chin and he went down on his behind for the second knockdown.

The challenger survived the harrowing round and proved to be resilient for a while. After having regained his senses, it was as if he were saying with his actions, “OK, I’ve taken the best you can offer and I’m still here.”

Pulev (28-2, 14 KOs) actually took the fight Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) at times, jabbing fairly consistently and throwing his right hand periodically in an attempt the turn the tide in his favor. They rarely landed, though, making his mission almost impossible.

Meanwhile, Joshua continued to land jabs and fire off occasionally power shots – including rapid-fire uppercuts – but the fight was relatively competitive until late in Round 9.

Then another right uppercut found the mark and was the beginning of the end. Joshua followed that punch with a few more shots inside and Pulev went down again. He managed to get up even though he was hurt but, seconds later, a perfect straight right hand landed on his chin and he fell flat on his back.

This time, he didn’t get up. The fight was over at 2:58 of Round 9. The Joshua who had destroyed everything in his path was back.

“I stuck to what I do best – boxing,” said Joshua, who hadn’t scored a knockout since Alexander Povetkin more than two years ago. “I picked my shots, put them together. And when they’re successful, they’re successful. As I said, it’s just less talk and more action. I don’t even want to do the interview. I just want fans to appreciate the hard work.

“Everyone go home and have a lovely Christmas. And we’ll see reunite in 2021.”

Against whom?

Oleksander Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO title and he’s determined to get his opportunity. Everyone else, it seems, wants to see Joshua fight fellow beltholder Tyson Fury in an all-British showdown for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

That was clear during the interview when Joshua was asked whether he wants Fury next. He suggested the interviewer ask those in attendance at SSE Arena, who numbered in the thousands.

“You ask the crowd what they want to see. I’m up for anything. Look at the resume,” Joshua said.

“OK, who wants to see Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury in 2021?” the interviewer asked the fans, whose wild cheers made their preference clear.

“Look, when I started in this game in 2013, I’ve been chasing belts, dealing with mandatories,” Joshua said. “Of course, I want a challenge. It’s not about the opponent. It’s about legacy and the belt. Whoever has the belt, I want to compete with them.

“If that’s Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. The road to the undisputed is almost clear right now.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn, standing beside Joshua during the interview, echoed his fighter’s sentiments. He made it clear that the representatives of the fighters in question would get down to work soon.

“Since he [first] came into the office he wanted to be undisputed champion,” Hearn said. “We’re going to be friendly, we’re going to be nice. We know what we have to do. Starting tomorrow we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away. It’s the only fight to be made in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in British boxing history.

“I know [Joshua] wants it. He’s the best heavyweight in the world, I promise you. He’ll break him down, knock him out. … We know what we have to do. It’s about legacy. Let’s get it done.”

[lawrence-related id=16300]

Anthony Joshua destroys Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds

Anthony Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev in nine rounds to retain his heavyweight titles Saturday in London.

The new version of Anthony Joshua boxes more than he once did. He’s more patient. The immense power is the same, though. And once he has you hurt, well, stand by.

Joshua outboxed Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night at SSE Arena in London, much as he did in his victorious rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr. almost exactly a year ago. The heavyweight titleholder gave us more this time, though – more aggression, more passion, more big shots.

The result was impressive: four knockdowns and a ninth-round knockout in the first defense the three titles he regained by outpointed Ruiz.

Many wondered what demeanor Joshua would bring into the ring after his cautious victory over Ruiz, which followed Ruiz’s stunning knockout of Joshua six months earlier.

The champion was more disciplined than cautious, fighting behind a consistent, stiff jab to both the head and body that kept Pulev at a distance favorable to Joshua. And he waited for openings to present themselves. When they did, the Bulgarian challenger paid a price.

The first two-plus rounds were mostly a feel-out session, with Joshua jabbing and Pulev posturing. Then Joshua hurt Pulev with a right hand and everything changed instantly. A flurry of shots resulted in Pulev turning his back on Joshua and he stumbled into a corner, which referee Deon Dwarte ruled a knockdown.

Then one of many right uppercuts Joshua landed in the fight found Pulev’s chin and he went down on his behind for the second knockdown.

The challenger survived the harrowing round and proved to be resilient for a while. After having regained his senses, it was as if he were saying with his actions, “OK, I’ve taken the best you can offer and I’m still here.”

Pulev (28-2, 14 KOs) actually took the fight Joshua (24-1, 22 KOs) at times, jabbing fairly consistently and throwing his right hand periodically in an attempt the turn the tide in his favor. They rarely landed, though, making his mission almost impossible.

Meanwhile, Joshua continued to land jabs and fire off occasionally power shots – including rapid-fire uppercuts – but the fight was relatively competitive until late in Round 9.

Then another right uppercut found the mark and was the beginning of the end. Joshua followed that punch with a few more shots inside and Pulev went down again. He managed to get up even though he was hurt but, seconds later, a perfect straight right hand landed on his chin and he fell flat on his back.

This time, he didn’t get up. The fight was over at 2:58 of Round 9. The Joshua who had destroyed everything in his path was back.

“I stuck to what I do best – boxing,” said Joshua, who hadn’t scored a knockout since Alexander Povetkin more than two years ago. “I picked my shots, put them together. And when they’re successful, they’re successful. As I said, it’s just less talk and more action. I don’t even want to do the interview. I just want fans to appreciate the hard work.

“Everyone go home and have a lovely Christmas. And we’ll see reunite in 2021.”

Against whom?

Oleksander Usyk is the mandatory challenger for Joshua’s WBO title and he’s determined to get his opportunity. Everyone else, it seems, wants to see Joshua fight fellow beltholder Tyson Fury in an all-British showdown for the undisputed heavyweight championship.

That was clear during the interview when Joshua was asked whether he wants Fury next. He suggested the interviewer ask those in attendance at SSE Arena, who numbered in the thousands.

“You ask the crowd what they want to see. I’m up for anything. Look at the resume,” Joshua said.

“OK, who wants to see Anthony Joshua fight Tyson Fury in 2021?” the interviewer asked the fans, whose wild cheers made their preference clear.

“Look, when I started in this game in 2013, I’ve been chasing belts, dealing with mandatories,” Joshua said. “Of course, I want a challenge. It’s not about the opponent. It’s about legacy and the belt. Whoever has the belt, I want to compete with them.

“If that’s Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. The road to the undisputed is almost clear right now.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn, standing beside Joshua during the interview, echoed his fighter’s sentiments. He made it clear that the representatives of the fighters in question would get down to work soon.

“Since he [first] came into the office he wanted to be undisputed champion,” Hearn said. “We’re going to be friendly, we’re going to be nice. We know what we have to do. Starting tomorrow we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away. It’s the only fight to be made in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in boxing, it’s the biggest fight in British boxing history.

“I know [Joshua] wants it. He’s the best heavyweight in the world, I promise you. He’ll break him down, knock him out. … We know what we have to do. It’s about legacy. Let’s get it done.”

[lawrence-related id=16300]