Anthony Joshua vs Andy Ruiz Jr rematch winner to face Oleksandr Usyk next year after being made WBO mandatory… despite never fighting at heavyweight
OLEKSANDR USYK has been made WBO mandatory challenger for the winner of Anthony Joshua's title rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr... despite never fighting at heavyweight.
The Ukrainian former undisputed world cruiserweight champion was forced to pull out of his debut in the division last month after suffering an injury.
However, the "super champion" is eligible to move up and become mandatory challengers under WBO rules due to their dominance in the division below.
Dillain Whyte has spent 600 days ranked No1 with the governing body, but he has now been overlooked for the title fight once again.
AJ was shot down by 19st outsider Ruiz in New York on June 1, losing his WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
But the 2012 Olympic Gold medalist will dive straight back into a rematch against the Mexican at the end of the year.
WBO Heavyweight Rankings
- Dillian Whyte (25-1-0)
- Tom Schwarz (24-1-0)
- Tyson Fury (28-0-1)
- Oscar Rivas (26-0-0)
- Zhang Zhilei (20-0-0)
- Tyrone Spong (13-0-0)
- Junior FA (17-0-0)
- Agit Kabayel (19-0-0)
- Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1-0)
- Evgenyi Romanov (12-0-0)
Before Joshua, 29, was shocked by Ruiz, he had insisted he is “100 per cent” willing to risk fighting Usyk before Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury.
When asked - speaking to , - he said: “100 per cent, I’d be down for that. I never thought of vacating a belt.
“That’s all political stuff. I wouldn’t vacate, and I’d definitely fight Usyk. Good luck to him.
"He’d a good addition to the heavyweight crop for sure. Very talented.
Usyk had held all four world titles at cruiserweight and travelled to Liverpool in November to defend them when he knocked out Tony Bellew in eight rounds.
He is unbeaten in 16 professional fights, with 12 knock-out wins.
Meanwhile, it is rumoured AJ's rematch with Ruiz will be on November 16 - if the fight takes place at either at Wembley or Tottenham’s new £1billion stadium.