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Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter on an expected fight against Joe Joyce: “We’ve hardly moved anywhere”; But Joyce’s reps responded, “The wrestler management teams are getting along and the talks are moving forward.”
Last Updated: 03/10/21 1:53 pm
2:42
Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Derek Chisora in October left Carl Froch with more questions than answers …
Oleksandr Usyk’s win over Derek Chisora in October left Carl Froch with more questions than answers …
Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter has implored the WBO to make “the brave decision” to enforce his mandatory title shot and delay Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury.
Usyk’s negotiations to fight Joe Joyce for the interim WBO title haven’t progressed in two months, Alexander Krassyuk claims, but that has been questioned by Joyce’s representatives.
Joshua and Fury are in talks to decide an undisputed heavyweight champion but, without confirmation yet, Usyk has delivered a reminder of his status as a mandatory WBO challenger.
Usyk intends to come between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury
“If AJ vs. Fury is not likely to happen this year or is rescheduled until the end of the year, AJ has to make a mandatory defense against Usyk unless he gives up the title,” said his promoter Krassyuk. Sky sports.
“The WBO has to gather forces and make the brave decision to order AJ vs Usyk.
“And that will be the triumph of justice.
“Otherwise, boxing will accelerate its decline in popularity due to unfair and preconceived policies.”
Sky sports revealed in January that Usyk had received a letter from the WBO confirming that the governing body planned to sanction Joshua vs. Fury.
Usyk is Joshua’s mandatory belt challenger, so he was a potential hurdle in the proposed mega fight with Fury.
Instead, Usyk and Joyce (the WBO No. 2 ranked contender) started the talks to fight for the interim title and a future shot at Joshua or Fury.
Joe Joyce and Representatives Adam Moralee (L) and Sam Jones (R)
But Usyk’s promoter Krassyuk now says: “Usyk can’t make a move because there is no certainty.
“Usyk is doing well, safe and sound, fit and working hard. And he’s ready to take on whoever the WBO legally designates.
“But my last conversation about Joyce took place in mid-January. I spoke with George Warren [part of Joyce’s promotional team]. Since then, we have hardly moved anywhere. “
Adam Moralee of SJAM Boxing who handles Joyce said Sky sports: “I can confirm that SJAM is talking to [Usyk’s manager] Egis Klimas on the Usyk vs Joyce fight.
“The fighter management teams are getting along and the talks are moving forward. Frank Warren is involved in all matters as Joe’s official promoter.”
Usyk’s promoter, Krassyuk, claimed that the lack of clarity on how to divide the bag is delaying a fight with Joyce.
“The problem is that there is no framework for the negotiations as the division has not been officially confirmed by the OMB,” he said.
“The division should be defined as the average of the last three fights of both fighters.
“And to the best of my knowledge, it should seem 93 percent in favor of Usyk.
“The minimum allowed by the WBO is 80/20.
“Unless the division is officially settled, any negotiation is pointless as it would not lead to an agreement.”
Sam Jones, Joyce’s manager, said Sky sports: “We understand that Usyk has one fight left with Alexander Krassyuk and is therefore trying to push this fight into a bid with [promoter] Eddie Hearn so he can stay involved.
“As for your talk about a 93/7 division, that is clearly ridiculous. We have the utmost respect for the WBO, one of the fairest sanctioning bodies in boxing, and we are confident that they will come up with a fair and appropriate division if the matter goes to the stock market bids. “
Olympic silver medalist Joyce is undefeated in 12
Krassyuk replied: “I have to stay involved as although it is our last fight, the contract is still active and my obligations to Usyk remain the same as for the last seven years. And by the way, conducting negotiations behind the back of a promoter is a violation of the contract. And I do not believe that neither Egis nor Usyk confirm the violation. “
The proposed fight between Usyk and Joyce is seen as one of the main obstacles being resolved on the way for Joshua and Fury to decide the No. 1 heavyweight division.
“So from now on, we are waiting for the biggest fight (AJ vs Fury) to be announced or postponed,” Krassyuk said.
“That would direct our further steps, either to commit to the champion or to fight for the interim title.
“Any option is acceptable once it is done fairly and according to the rules.”
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