WBO Mandatory No Choice, Usyk Says He Will Not Fight Joe Joyce
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Kyiv, Ukraine (October 26th, 2022)– With British heavyweight contender Joe ‘Juggernaut’ Joyce scoring an impressive win over former champion Joseph Parker, Joyce has a voice. Joyce is now the mandatory World Boxing Organisation WBO opponent for WBA WBO IBF and IBO World Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Usyk told Seconds Out Joyce is a tank and he will not face him regardless of the mandatory requirement or any circumstances. This reporter’s view is Joyce is a thorn in the backside of both Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, the two reigning world champions of the moment. The general boxing public is more attuned to Deontay Wilder facing Andy Ruiz Jr. in a WBC mandatory eliminator than they are the next bout or Joyce.
While Tyson Fury prepares for his rematch with Derek Chisora, and Usyk waits online for a possible lucrative unification bout with Fury, there remains the distinct possibility Usyk might get stripped of the WBO belt for not fighting Joyce. This would set up a vacant title bout between Joyce and somebody else.
Usyk would have to fight Joyce right after he fights Fury if he beats Fury, or Fury would then have to fight Joyce if he beats Usyk. Fury versus Wilder or Ruiz could come before that. Usyk has won all five of the amateur rounds he fought against Joyce. Usyk will have to contend with a taller, stronger foe in Joyce, though he could outpoint him in a close technical war. Joyce remains untested. Anthony Joshua is looking for a big stakes bout with Fury. A Vacant WBO world heavyweight title bout between Joyce and Joshua could make waves in 2023 if it comes to pass. The major point is both Usyk and Joshua know the big cash money mega bout is with Tyson Fury if he fights again after Chisora. Joyce has a choice as to who he fights next. Joyce has yet to prove he is the Rolls Royce of the heavyweight division. If Usyk waits too long for Fury, he may be forced into a WBO war with Joyce. Strangely, this reporter feels both Fury and Usyk can beat Joyce in a 12-round world title bout. Joyce cannot be avoided much longer from his present position in the heavyweight mix.
Usyk stated “No, I don’t want to fight with him! (Joyce) He’s like a (big) tank. Did you watch him fighting? (Joyce’ eleventh-round stoppage of Parker). Leaving jokes aside, I want to fight for belts (and the big money, with Tyson Fury). I’m hungry. Before I leave (boxing), I need to fight for the (unification) belts.” The heavyweight chess moves continue.
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