Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukraine champion would be willing to stage a third fight with Anthony Joshua if he is unable to take on Tyson Fury.
Usyk beat the joshua again last month in their heavyweight rematch that was staged in Saudi Arabia almost a year after he inflicted a first defeat on his rival in the UK. It was expected that Usyk would next challenge Fury for the undisputed titles later this year, but after stating his intentions to have a short break from fighting, it appears the fight has now been shelved until 2023.
Fury instead offered Joshua a shot at the WBC crown, which he has also declared will not take place after 'AJ' missed the deadline to sign the contract. And Usyk has revealed that he would be open to a third clash but only if it is staged in the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv. “If Fury doesn’t agree I think we could try to have another fight," Usyk told Parimatch when discussing a potential third fight with Joshua.
"We already had a match in London and in Saudi Arabia as well, so the next one could be at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv. He has powerful potential for his development, but he just needs to get rid of people who prevent him progressing. These extra people around him who want to give the best piece of advice, who all want to share his success, he just doesn’t need them. He has to think about his team. But above all he is such a great guy and I wish him good luck.”
The Ukrainian outclassed Joshua in their first meeting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with his rival unable to close the significant skill gap. After being dethroned, the British star elected to go back to the drawing board and part ways with trainer Robert McCracken by replacing him with experience.
