Oleksandr Usyk hit with major demand from boxing personality amid heavyweight title absence
Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been urged to make up his mind on his future as titleholder, in rather quick fashion, too.
Receiving a sizable update on his immediate fighting future earlier this week, unbeaten megastar Oleksandr Usyk was granted an extension by the WBO in his bid to thrash out a deal on his return to the ring.
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And ordered to defend his championships against the WBO mandatory number one in his comeback, a niggling back injury has put Usyk’s planned fight with Joseph Parker on the back burner already.
But with his future now somewhat clearer, the Ukrainian star has been issued an ultimatum by a veteran boxing analyst today.
Oleksandr Usyk urged to fight or give up his titles
A former undisputed cruiserweight champion, too, Usyk gave up his belts willingly ahead of a planned heavyweight move back in 2019.
And once more unifying all the heavyweight titles earlier this summer with his stunning knockout of Daniel Dubois in their rematch, Usyk made divisional history once more.
However, with his latest injury setback calling into question his longevity in the division, Usyk has been urged to either take on Parker or unbeaten knockout star Fabio Wardley next — as ordered — or just vacate his crowns.
“Who am I to medically assess Oleksandr Usyk?” Gareth A. Davies told IFL TV. “Listen, I think he’s buying time, that’s my view, to assess the whole scenario [at heavyweight], because he doesn’t wanna get back in there right away.
“If you don’t wanna defend the belts, give them up,” Davies continued. …In deep technical terms, maybe he needs to relinquish a belt.”
If Usyk is to lose his status as heavyweight champion before too long, it would not come as a surprise given the Ukrainian’s recent spat with governing bodies.
Oleksandr Usyk’s previous vacating of IBF crown
First making history last year, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years, following in the footsteps of the iconic Lennox Lewis with his first of two fights with then-WBC champion Tyson Fury.
Defeating the Morecambe native in back-to-back decision victories, Usyk would win and then defend the undisputed heavyweight belts.
However, after his second win over Fury, Usyk vacated his IBF championship, unable to meet the deadline to face the governing body’s mandatory challenger.
Going on to rematch British starlet Dubois earlier this summer after his title victory against common foe Anthony Joshua, Usyk launched a savage knockout to cement himself as undisputed gold holder again.
