Usyk’s Title Defense and Potential Matchup
In a significant development for heavyweight boxing, Oleksandr Usyk, having secured his status as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion following his victory over Daniel Dubois in July, has been given the green light to arrange a voluntary title defense. The World Boxing Council (WBC) recently announced this decision during their annual convention, allowing Usyk the opportunity to face Deontay Wilder, whom he has identified as his primary opponent for the next fight.
Ranking Concerns
Despite the excitement surrounding a potential clash with Wilder, it’s noteworthy that Wilder currently does not appear in the top 10 rankings of the WBA, WBC, or IBF organizations. This ranking situation raises the possibility that Usyk might need to forfeit some of his titles if he proceeds with this matchup.
“Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk can make a voluntary defense. He’s already indicated a desire to fight Deontay Wilder.”
This opportunity comes after Usyk’s last bout, where he spectacularly stopped Londoner Dubois in the fifth round.
Recent Developments
In a recent turn of events, Usyk chose to vacate his WBO title, which subsequently allowed Fabio Wardley from Britain to ascend to that championship status. The decision not to pursue a mandatory defense against Wardley has left Usyk as the reigning champion of the WBA, IBF, and WBC.
Upcoming Fights and Title Contenders
Additionally, the WBC’s announcement mentioned a potential showdown between British fighters Lawrence Okolie and Moses Itauma, which will determine the next challenger for Usyk’s WBC title. Both boxers are already scheduled for upcoming bouts, with Itauma set to face Jermaine Franklin on January 24 in Manchester and Okolie boxing later this month in Nigeria.
On a broader scale, other British boxers are also making strides towards title contention, including a highly anticipated match that could pit Joshua Buatsi against Ben Whittaker in a light heavyweight clash, aimed at identifying the next mandatory challenger. Furthermore, Conor Benn has been recognized as the top challenger for Mario Barrios’ WBC welterweight championship, further highlighting the competitive landscape in British boxing.
As the boxing calendar unfolds, fans eagerly await to see how these developments will shape the heavyweight division and the paths of each fighter moving forward.
