Oleksandr Usyk will ‘stay back’ from Tyson Fury trilogy if Anthony Joshua accepts all-British blockbuster

Oleksandr Usyk seems more than happy to see Tyson Fury face Anthony Joshua and it’s clear whose side he’s on.

Unified WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion Usyk has included a trilogy against Fury on a three-fight hit-list of those he wants to face before retiring.

AFP

Rico Verhoeven, the Dutch kickboxing world champion Usyk finds himself up against at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23, was first on the list, followed by the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, then Fury.

Usyk came face-to-face with Verhoeven for the first time at a press conference in London on Tuesday, just days after Fury made a successful return to the ring against Arslanbek Makhmudov.

‘The Gypsy King’ was far from his best against the Russian but still coasted his way to a unanimous decision win.

The main talking point of the night was Fury’s interaction with Joshua, who had a front row seat for the action but refused to enter the ring and face off with his fellow Brit when called upon.

Usyk says ‘AJ’ will be undisputed heavyweight king

Fury’s strong interest in fighting Joshua next was put to Usyk in terms of affecting his three-fight plan.

“If Tyson Fury [wants] a fight with AJ, I [will] stay back,” Usyk responded at the news conference in London.

Asked who he thinks would win the all-British blockbuster, Usyk added: “AJ wins, [he’s] the future undisputed champion.”

Joshua, who lost consecutive bouts to Usyk in 2021 and 2022, has been training with the Ukrainian’s team since he began preparing for his fight against Jake Paul in Miami.

He returned to Usyk’s camp in Spain last month, having recovered from a tragic motor accident that killed two of his best friends.

The pair have since been spotted together many times in preparations for comebacks to the ring, with ‘AJ’ also gearing up to box this year.

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Time will only tell whether it’s Fury next for Joshua or a name like Deontay Wilder, who called him out after beating Derek Chisora in London earlier this month.

As for Usyk, he has admitted there are only two more fights left for him in the ring after facing Verhoeven.

So that’s why he felt more obliged to do something different for his return.

​​”For me, it’s a challenge,” Usyk said when asked why he wanted to pursue a fight against Verhoeven.

“Rico is a great guy, a dangerous guy. One time I want to do what I want, not what I need.

“A lot of time I do what other people need. You have to box this person, or this or this.

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“I say okay. Now I do what I want.”

Verhoeven brimming with confidence

Meanwhile, Verhoeven is confident he can knock out Usyk if he lands his best shot clean.

The 37-year-old was originally lined up to fight Joshua until the latter’s accident in December.

Hollywood superstar Jason Statham then kick-started negotiations with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh to make a fight against Usyk.

Verhoeven told talkSPORT.com he is sparring with Fury’s cousin Hughie Fury for the WBC heavyweight title clash that he believes ‘could be one of the biggest upsets in sports history.’

The pair faced off for over two minutes at the end of the London press conference until promoter Eddie Hearn interrupted proceedings.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.