Oleksandr Usyk has been told he has to fight Daniel Dubois, which could delay a fight against Tyson Fury which had been expected to take place in the early part of next year.
Dubois currently holds the WBA Regular title, which he retained against Kevin Lerena before Fury beat Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 3rd. WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO title holder Usyk was in attendance that night and following the win both confirmed their intention to fight each other next year.
However, the governing body have now ordered that Dubois and Usyk face each other next following a convention which has taken place in Orlando, Florida. This throws a unification bout into jeopardy and highlights the complications which surround unification bouts within boxing.
ALSO READ: Oleksandr Usyk laughs at Tyson Fury comments after Derek Chisora fight
There has not been an undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis at the turn of the century and the announcement that Dubois must be the challenger for Usyk's WBA super heavyweight title puts Fury's fight against the Ukrainian at risk. Usyk could risk losing his belt should he not fight against Dubois which would mean that his fight against Fury would not be for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
Dubois, 25, could help Fury, however, with Frank Warren acting as promoter for both fighters and this could mean that negotiations can still be sought for a fight between Fury and Usyk. However, if an agreement cannot be reached the next challenger for Fury's WBC heavyweight crown is likely to be Joe Joyce, who currently holds the WBO interim heavyweight title.
Following his win against Usyk in North London earlier this month, Fury called out Usyk saying: "Usyk you’re next you little b****. You are next. Me and you next. You’re next."
He added: "Let’s give the fans one champion, one name, one face. Usyk’s ready for the challenge. He came over tonight so fair play to him. I’m really looking forward to the challenge."
If that fight does not happen, then Fury has already said that he will fight against Joyce, with the 2016 Olympic silver medallist still unbeaten following a win against Joseph Parker back in September.
READ NEXT:
