Oleksandr Usyk will fight Carlos Takam on May 25. If all goes well and Usyk wins, Usyk will fight heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, says Alex Krassyuk, who is Usyk’s promoter.
As such, Alex Krassyuk confirmed that Usyk will become the mandatory challenger to AJ following his win against Carlos Takam.
Krassyuk is working hard to guide the cruiserweight champion’s career. The co-promotional agreement with Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who represents AJ, is a step in the right direction.
The fight also means that Usyk would move up to heavyweight now. Oleksandr Usyk will debut in this division on May 25 against Carlos Takam. However, the long term plan is clear – Krassyuk and Usyk are gunning for a title shot against Joshua.
Krassyuk explained this in an interview,
“The fact that Usyk will become a mandatory challenger is not PR.
“These are the WBO rules, which were confirmed by the organization’s president Francisco Valcarcel; four days ago I spoke with him.
“If Usyk wins, he officially leaves the WBO [cruiserweight] title. Usyk gains the position of official heavyweight challenger.
“Who is the champion? Joshua. So, Usyk is the mandatory claimant to fight with Joshua.”
Usyk has conquered the entire division and won all four belts, WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO, during his time as a cruiserweight.
Oleksandr Usyk’s wins have earned him the status of ‘super champion’ with the WBO. Now he has the freedom to move up or down in weight. He also automatically becomes the mandatory contender for a title shot in a new division.
Krassyuk continued,
“From the moment when Usyk becomes the official challenger, the fight with Joshua is irreversible, inevitable.
“Will there be interim fights? Possibly. But all this is built in the form of a pyramid, on top of which will be a cherry – Usyk vs Joshua.”
