Joshua could be forced to defend WBO title against pound-for-pound star Usyk, says Eddie Hearn
Cruiserweight king is expected to move up to heavyweight and promoter claims that could see him become mandatory challenger
OLEKSANDR USYK could become Anthony Joshua’s WBO mandatory if he moves up to heavyweight, claims Eddie Hearn.
Usyk is the undisputed cruiserweight world champion and under WBO rules, if he steps up in weight, he could be considered as an automatic mandatory to Joshua, who also holds the WBA and IBF straps.
The cruiserweight king is expected to move up to heavyweight, while Joshua is pencilled in to defend his unified world titles on April 13 at Wembley.
No opponent has been announced to fight Joshua, 29, though Dillian Whyte is the front runner.
Hearn revealed pound-for-pound star Usyk should become Joshua’s WBO mandatory if he moves up - while the promoter urged Whyte to accept a deal to fight AJ in April.
He told : "Under the WBO rules, Usyk, once he steps up - if he steps up - should become that automatic mandatory. I was with the WBO last week in Puerto Rico.
"Dillian is No1, that won't be called for another month or so, and it's not due until September, October.
“But Dillian is in the running to be that mandatory, but if you turn down a shot at the world heavyweight title, these don't come around very often.
"I want to make sure that deal is good enough for him to accept, but I also want him to take it, because this is it. This is the world heavyweight championship.
"You've got a chance to fight for it, in your own country, to become the king of the division."
Usyk is signed to Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing banner, and the promoter confirmed the Ukrainian has a fight date booked.
It is rumoured the unbeaten cruiserweight will move up to heavyweight, with Russian Alexander Povetkin a possible opponent.