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Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, who co-promotes WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, believes domestic rival Anthony Joshua should not force an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Back in September, Usyk outboxed Joshua to capture the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO world titles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
There is a rematch clause, which Joshua has already exercised – and the next meeting is being eyed for the first quarter of 2022.
Arum does not feel Joshua is capable of beating Usyk – with the veteran promoter advising the British superstar to delay a second encounter.
If Joshua delayed the second fight, then Fury could potentially face Usyk in a full division unification.
“I think it would be maybe wise to not force a fight with Usyk right away and let Usyk fight Tyson Fury and the winner to fight Joshua and Joshua to have an interim fight in the meantime,” Arum said.
“That’s what I hope and that’s the sensible thing. Whether it works out that way or not is not dependent on me, it’s dependent on Joshua.”
Joshua is promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom.
Arum downplayed Hearn’s ability to dictate Joshua’s decision on the subject of facing Usyk in a direct rematch.
“F— Eddie Hearn. He has nothing to say about it. All he does is spit his mouth,” Arum said.
“No, Joshua will make the decision for Joshua, and Joshua will make whatever decision he feels is correct.”
Fury was in action last month. when he got up from two knockdowns to score a vicious knockout of Deontay Wilder in the eleventh round of their trilogy fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Unless a unification with Usyk comes up, which is doubtful, Fury is going to potentially make a mandatory defense of his belt against Dillian Whyte in the coming year.