Queensberry promoter Frank Warren gives his reaction to the the outlook of the heavyweight division, with particular respect to Oleksandr Usyk and whether or not he’ll be looking to take on some other top heavyweights after his upcoming novelty fight against a kickboxer. Here’s some of what Warren had to say below.
Warren on Usyk potentially fighting the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois
“The WBC after Usyk’s fight in Egypt will order that Usyk has to defend against the interim mandatory challenger in Agit Kabayel. So he’s either going to fight him or he’s not and we’ll decide what happens.”
On who gets top billing in Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
“I don’t know. As long as they get in the ring, who cares?”
On Turki Alalshikh having an interest in Benavidez fighting Usyk
“If Usyk wants to fight him or anybody else then he’s got to vacate the belts. Simple as that, because that’s where we are. These guys have fought for the right to be in the #1 spot for the mandatories, and I’ve got a tremendous respect for Usyk, so he’s either going to fight them or he’s not and if he’s not, whoever’s #1 will fight #2 for the belt.”
On what he thinks Usyk will do for his next fight
“His next fight will be ordered by the WBC. He holds that belt and it will be against Agit Kabayel, who is the interim champion. He’s either going to fight him or he’s not going to fight him. If he don’t fight him, he’ll vacate the title. Then the next mandatory is due, and he’ll have to fight the #1 or vacate the belt. Or he can vacate all the belts and just fight who he likes. We’ve got plenty of heavyweights for him to fight.”