Oleksandr Usyk’s camp are confident that a deal will be struck to fight Anthony Joshua after the collapse of his proposed bout with Tyson Fury, report Sky Sports.
AJ was initially supposed to be taking to the ring with heavyweight rival Fury in Saudi Arabia, with the winner being crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
However, after Deontay Wilder resisted calls for him to step aside, Fury was forced into taking a trilogy fight with the American, shelving plans to fight Joshua.
As you’d expect, a queue has been forming, full of fighters who are keen on having a crack at winning Joshua’s belts. As per Sky Sports, Oleksandr Usyk looks set to win the race.
MORE: Anthony Joshua fight pursued by three potential contenders after Tyson Fury bout collapses
Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk has been speaking to Sky Sports, and in doing so, revealed his confidence that AJ vs Usyuk will be taking place this summer.
“We are in the middle of negotiations now and things look optimistic.”
“As long as I am informed there are no visible obstacles to the deal not to take place, hopefully, it will be completed within the rendered timing.”
The Ukranian recorded a UD win over Derek Chisora in his last heavyweight bout, but a tussle with Joshua will be his biggest test yet since stepping up from cruiserweight.
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