Oleksandr Usyk has hinted he would be willing to step aside to allow Anthony Joshua to take on Tyson Fury next year.
A two-fight agreement is already in place for Joshua and Fury to meet in 2021 in what is being deemed the biggest fight in British boxing history.
All world heavyweight titles would be contested with unified heavyweight champion Joshua facing WBC champion Fury.
Usyk however could put a spanner in the works for the all-British heavyweight showdown as he is the mandatory challenger for the WBO strap.
But speaking to The Sun, the 33-year-old Ukrainian said he would consider stepping aside to ensure Joshua against Fury takes place, labeling it a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.
“All four belts might end up in the same hands of one person,” Usyk said.
“It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. We should all talk and communicate for that to happen because it is a really big event.”
“I still want to fight Anthony Joshua for the title. There are many factors for this fight to happen, my team and all the participants and all their interested parties are already working on it.”
“But there are still many people who wish to fight him as well, like Tyson Fury.”
Joshua ensured the fight against Fury remained a possibility after defeating Kubrat Pulev having knocked the Bulgarian out in the ninth round at the SSE Arena in Wembley.
However, should Usyk not step aside, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has insisted all five heavyweight titles could be dropped by Joshua and Fury to secure their blockbuster fight after WBO president Paco Valcarcel hinted Joshua would have to fight their No 1-ranked heavyweight Usyk before Fury or vacate the title.
Hearn also confirmed that only a few small issues are left to iron out’ to ensure the showdown goes ahead following talks with fellow promoter Bob Arum.
However, Usyk’s manager Egis Kilmas claimed that would if Joshua chose the latter it would only show the fear that he holds in facing his Ukrainian counterpart.
