Oleksandr Usyk appeal shot down as Anthony Joshua sent clear six-word message
Oleksandr Usyk doesn't want to vacate his IBF title with Anthony Joshua waiting in the wings for a shot at it
Eddie Hearn has told Anthony Joshua to expect Oleksandr Usyk to be stripped of his IBF belt. Usyk has appealed to the International Boxing Federation regarding his mandatory title defence. The Ukrainian champion filed for an exemption to keep his rematch with Tyson Fury an undisputed contest in December. Daniel Dubois became the organisation's interim champion with his victory over Filip Hrgovic last weekend.
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Hearn reckons he’ll be fighting for the real deal against Joshua, who is set for a return to the ring in September. Speaking to iFL TV, the Matchroom chief sent a six-word message to his prize fighter, making it clear they believe Usyk’s appeal will fall flat.
“The aim for us is for AJ to become heavyweight world champion, and if the IBF belt becomes available, which we expect it to be, and there’s a chance of Dubois against AJ for the world heavyweight title, [it’s] definitely a fight that appeals,” he explained.
Hearn admitted there are several contenders in the picture, including Zhilei Zhang following his dominant display against Deontay Wilder, and Joseph Parker, who’s on a five-win streak as the WBO's interim champion.
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But he clarified that AJ’s next outing is not yet set in stone. Hearn added: "His excellency would like AJ to headline at Wembley. Obviously it’d be incredible for us, for Riyadh Season, for British boxing.
"Who the opponent will be is undecided. Nothing agreed, or confirmed yet, but there is a press conference on the 26th of June and that is where the opponent will be announced. We’re in talks with everybody."
He went on to clarify that if the IBF belt does become vacant, Dubois will be the frontrunner for AJ’s next opponent. But if that doesn’t unfold as they expect, he will likely be lined up with another opponent to continue his road back to the top of the division.