Joe Joyce has suggested Oleksandr Usyk will avoid a title fight between the pair if he is thrust into mandatory contention.
'The Juggernaut' is set to return to action on April 22 when he takes on Zhilei Zhang to defend his status as No.1 contender with the WBO. Current champion Usyk looked set to face Tyson Fury in a battle for the undisputed titles but the showdown has now been called off after negotiations stalled, leaving Joyce with a claim to fight either heavyweight if he defeats Zhang.
Joyce will face a wait to fight Usyk, given the Ukrainian will likely first set to be ordered to face WBA challenger Daniel Dubois this summer following the collapse. The British star, who has previously defeated Dubois, is not confident that Usyk will accept any clash and has suggested he could instead pursue a WBC title shot against Fury.
