Elizabeth O.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has authorized Anthony Joshua to maintain his championship against enforced antagonist Oleksandr Usyk in his next combat, aso Naija reports.
The injunction came after Joshua’s recommended unified title showdown with Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia fell apart this week. It puts Usyk next in line for a chance at Joshua’s belt.
Joshua wields the IBF, WBA, and WBO belts but his plan to meet WBC ruler Fury on August 14 was scuppered by an arbitration court, ruling that Fury must fight Deontay Wilder for a third time before September 15.
READ ALSO: Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury to fight in a specially constructed stadium in Saudi Arabia
Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian who has beaten Tony Bellew and Derek Chisora and formerly held the unanimous cruiserweight title, is now set to contest Joshua.
Fury had halted Wilder in the seventh round to claim the WBC belt last February, but the Alabama man prompted a clause for a retrieval battle and they will begin again their hectic competition this summer.
