Oleksandr Usyk is willing to fight Tyson Fury next if the Gypsy King’s camp agree a step-aside fee with Anthony Joshua. The Brit – who lost his straps to the Ukrainian southpaw in late September at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – has already admitted he’d be willing to consider moving out of the way for Fury to fight Usyk for all the marbles, permitting the offer was right.
Joshua has been touring the United States and testing out multiple trainers ahead of a potential corner shake-up.
AJ is reluctant to predominantly move away from his old Team GB coach Rob McCracken but has had to answer some uncomfortable questions in the aftermath of the one-sided defeat to Usyk.
Meanwhile, WBC and Ring Magazine champion Fury has made it clear that he would love to get to work with former undisputed cruiserweight champion Usyk.
But for that to happen, Joshua would have to step aside and Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has already confirmed talks are underway.
However, the prospect of facing the Gypsy King does not bother Usyk in the slightest.
In fact, he would be quite happy to fight Fury next if a deal can be struck between the two British heavyweights, according to his promoter Alex Krassyuk.
“The talks on AJ’s step aside have been around since Fury KO’d Wilder,” Krassyuk said.
“I heard that Joshua could consider stepping aside if the money is right as he feels respect to the division and is willing to let the undisputed heavyweight championship happen.
“Usyk says that he can fight Fury next if the offer is right and if AJ allows to do so.”
While Joshua initially downplayed the idea during an interview with iFL TV, he refused to rule it out on the grounds of business.
“Step aside in terms of, I don’t know if that goes in line with what I morally stand for. But let me be real, I want to be known as one of the smartest businessmen as well,” Joshua said.
“I used to watch Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe, we all know the stories of NFL players, basketball players, they make bad decisions.
“I wanted to make sure I make the smart moves when it comes to this business. If the money is right, you have to look at it.
“You have to look at it. But respect to me has a lot more value than money. Respect first, what I’m known for when I leave this division, then being the smartest businessman in my career.
“That step aside thing, it may not go with what I stand for in terms of bringing me respect, fighting the best, but it may make sense for business.”
The WBC were expected to order Fury to defend his green strap against fellow Brit Dillian Whyte.
But in yet another twist, the WBC confirmed that there is an undisclosed arbitration going on between the fighter and organisation that is preventing the bout from happening, as things stand.
Either way, Fury is looking to get out and fight in February or May.