Oleksandr Usyk says he’s open to a third fight against Anthony Joshua if the two win their next fights.
AJ hasn’t said much about whether he wants a third fight against Usyk, and you can’t blame him. It would be a good idea for Joshua to decline Usyk’s offer because he doesn’t need that fight.
After all, it’s pretty clear that the Ukrainian talent has his number and would beat Joshua no matter how many times they fight.
Joshua’s Moment of Truth
Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) has been beaten twice already by Usyk, and it would be a big risk for him to take that fight before facing Tyson Fury in the big-money match that His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is offering.
Usyk faces former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a rematch on December 21st in Riyadh. He’s already beaten Fury by a twelve-round split decision earlier this year on May 18th and arguably robbed of a knockout in the ninth round.
Assuming we don’t get another strange situation with Fury being saved from getting knocked out by Usyk, a second win for Oleksandr is virtually guaranteed. Fury looks shot at this point in his career, and he was obviously never as good as the naive public thought he was.
Usyk’s Act of Sportsmanship
WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) states that Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) allowed him to become famous, so he feels indebted to him for his generosity. As such, he’ll give AJ the trilogy if he wants it.
“I don’t particularly want any rematches, but when we beat Tyson Fury for the second time and when Anthony Joshua beats Daniel Dubois, of course, they will want to do a third fight,” said Oleksandr Usyk to the Mail Sport about being open to a trilogy fight against Anthony Joshua if the two fighters win their next matches.
AJ faces IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois on September 14th in London next month. Although fans and the oddsmakers predict Joshua, 34, will win, there’s a good chance he won’t.
“I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights. Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world, and if it happens, then I am ready for a third fight.”
Joshua’s False Resurgence
If the trilogy match happens, it will give Joshua’s fans and promoter, Eddie Hearn, a chance to show whether he’s improved with his trainer, Ben Davison, in his corner or if it was just smoke and mirrors because he was matched against soft opposition.
Joshua doesn’t look like he’s improved at all. What’s changed is the level of opposition he’s been facing. Hearn has matched Joshua against four consecutive second-tier fighters with zero talent to artificially build him back up after his two defeats against Usyk, but he’s not improved. He’s just been matched with dreadful opposition to bring him back mentally or fool the public.
After the way Usyk schooled him in the second fight, leaving him a mental wreck in the ring, it’s a bad idea to face him a third time. Losing a third time to Usyk might slow down the money that he’s bringing in.
