Former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is facing yet another challenge in his illustrious career. The 39-year-old undefeated star had to relinquish his WBO belt last year to avoid facing Fabio Wardley. And now, his WBC title is under threat if he decides not to follow instructions from the organization.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has recently made it clear that Usyk could lose his title if he does not comply with the organization’s demands. This news has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, as Usyk is considered one of the best heavyweights in the world.
Usyk, who hails from Ukraine, rose to prominence in the boxing world after winning the Olympic gold medal in 2012. He then went on to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion, before moving up to the heavyweight division in 2019. Since then, he has been on a dominant run, defeating top contenders and capturing the WBO title in 2020.
However, his reign as the WBO champion was short-lived as he was forced to give up his belt to avoid facing Fabio Wardley. Wardley, who is a rising star in the heavyweight division, was seen as a potential threat to Usyk’s title reign. As a result, Usyk decided to vacate the title and focus on other opportunities.
But now, Usyk’s WBC title is also at risk as the organization has issued an ultimatum to the champion. The WBC has stated that Usyk must face their mandatory challenger, Dillian Whyte, or risk losing his title. This decision has been met with mixed reactions from the boxing community, with some supporting the WBC’s stance and others questioning the organization’s motives.
On one hand, the WBC’s decision is seen as a move to protect the integrity of their title and ensure that the best fighters are competing for it. Whyte, who is currently the WBC interim champion, has been waiting for his shot at the title for over a year now. He has been vocal about his desire to face Usyk and has even accused the Ukrainian champion of avoiding him.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that the WBC is putting unnecessary pressure on Usyk and not giving him enough time to prepare for the mandatory defense. Usyk is currently in negotiations for a potential fight with unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, and this ultimatum from the WBC could disrupt those plans.
However, regardless of the motives behind the WBC’s decision, one thing is for sure – Usyk is facing a tough decision. He must either face Whyte and risk losing his title or give up the WBC belt and focus on a potential fight with Joshua. This is a dilemma that no champion wants to face, but it is one that Usyk must deal with if he wants to continue his reign as a heavyweight champion.
Moreover, this situation has also opened up the possibility of a trilogy fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury. The two heavyweights have faced each other twice before, with Usyk winning both fights. However, with Fury’s recent victory over Deontay Wilder, there is renewed interest in a potential third fight between the two.
Fury has made it clear that he wants to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, and that means he must defeat Usyk to achieve that goal. With Usyk potentially losing his WBC title, it could pave the way for a trilogy fight between the two, which would undoubtedly be a blockbuster event in the boxing world.
In conclusion, Oleksandr Usyk is facing a tough situation as he could potentially lose another title if he does not comply with the WBC’s ultimatum. The Ukrainian champion has proven time and again that he is one of the best heavyweights in the world, and it would be a shame to see him lose his title in such a manner. But as a true champion, Usyk will undoubtedly make the best decision for his career and continue to entertain fans with his exceptional skills in the ring.
