Oleksandr Usyk has said that he “would not deny” Anthony Joshua a trilogy fight against him after he defeats Tyson Fury for a second time. The Ukrainian, currently the unified heavyweight champion following his victory over ‘The Gypsy King’ in May, will rematch Fury back in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 21, when the Brit will look to win back the WBC belt he lost via split decision.
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Oleksandr Usyk has left the door open for a potential trilogy fight with Anthony Joshua, saying that he “would not deny” the Briton one more bout.
Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion, is fresh off his split-decision victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia back in May.
In that megafight, he took the WBC world title and an unbeaten record off Fury, handing the 35-year-old the first loss of his professional career.
The Ukrainian has made a habit of defeating British boxers in recent years, beating Joshua twice to win and then defend the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles.
Usyk and Joshua first locked horns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September 2021, as Usyk stunned the crowd by beating the home favourite via unanimous decision.
The second bout in Jeddah took place in August 2022, and while Joshua markedly improved, he still lost a split decision.
‘The Cat’ then fought Daniel Dubois in Wroclaw, Poland over a year after his rematch against Joshua, and he stopped ‘Dynamite’ in the ninth round.
That followed a controversial waistline shot from Dubois that knocked Usyk to the canvas, but referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow.
Usyk is scheduled to face Fury once again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 21 this year, after extending his flawless record to 22-0 with his victory three months ago.
He recognises that there will be clamouring for a trilogy to be had with Joshua should the Watford-born fighter defeat Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
That all-British showdown on September 21 is live on TNT Sports Box Office and discovery+.
“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course, they will want to do a third fight,” Usyk told Mail Sport.
“I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights.
“Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world, and if it happens, then I am ready for a third fight.”
Usyk recently vacated his IBF title due to his rematch clause with Fury, despite being obligated by the IBF to face a mandatory challenger, who was supposed to be Filip Hrgovic.
‘AJ’ now has a shot at winning that IBF strap from Dubois, meaning a Joshua v Usyk trilogy fight could well be for undisputed status.
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