Anthony Joshua ordered to defend WBO title against Oleksandr Usyk

With the fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua put on the back burner, the WBO has ordered Joshua to defend his title against Oleksandr Usyk.

Following an arbitrator’s ruling that Tyson Fury must give Deontay Wilder a rematch, Anthony Joshua was left on the outside looking in, with no fight signed.

However, that changed on Saturday, when the WBO ordered Joshua to defend his title against former undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk had been vocal in wanting to face Joshua, but accepted a step-aside fee in order for Joshua to unify titles against Tyson Fury. With the Fury fight off the table (for now), the WBO has made it clear that Joshua must defend the belt.

The sanctioning body has stated that both sides have 10 days to negotiate a deal, or they will pursue a purse bid.

Per ESPN, Eddie Hearn had a 48 hour to “show cause” as to why Joshua should not have to defend against Usyk, and was unable to do so. When Hearn asked for an extension, the WBO did not comply.

If an agreement is not reached, and a purse bid is ordered, then Joshua will receive 80 percent of the bid, with Usyk netting just 20 percent. Additionally, the WBO has stated that the minimum bid will be $1 million.

This is a far cry from the $155 million site fee that Joshua was slated to get 50% of for facing off against Fury.

The fight with Usyk is expected to take place this summer, and presents a high-risk, low-reward fight for the unified champion Joshua. Despite Usyk being much smaller than Joshua, he presents a super slick style, and possess a massive speed advantage.

Joshua and Hearn are hoping that they can handle business this summer, and then go full steam ahead with a unification fight with the winner of Fury vs Wilder III later this year,