A look at the heavyweight division as Oleksandr Usyk enters the fray

Oleksandr Usyk took a step closer towards fighting for a world title next year while Deontay Wilder accused Tyson Fury of trying to renege on a third meeting between the pair in an eventful weekend in the heavyweight division.

Usyk strengthened his position as the mandatory challenger to the WBO title held by Anthony Joshua by outpointing Dereck Chisora in an efficient if unspectacular affair at Wembley’s SSE Arena on Saturday night.

The Ukrainian should therefore fight for a title in 2021 but his chance may not necessarily come against Joshua and, here, the PA news agency explains why in a look at the state of play in boxing’s blue riband weight class.

Is Usyk a major player in the division now?

Having reigned as undisputed cruiserweight champion, Usyk has stepped up in search of bigger game and greater challenges. He got that on Saturday night against Chisora, who made life difficult early on before the unbeaten southpaw showed his craftsmanship to earn a unanimous decision victory. He proved he could take a punch in his first serious test at the weight while his hand speed and footwork are still spectacular but questions remain over whether Usyk has the power to trouble the division’s elite fighters. He would perhaps be better served taking another one or two tune-ups to adjust to the top bracket but signalled his intentions by calling out Joshua.

So, Joshua has to face Usyk soon?

Where would this leave Usyk, then?

Usyk warned Joshua: “I’m coming for you” and has indicated he would not be willing to step aside to allow the all-British world title clash to go ahead with the four major world belts on the line. In this scenario, it is likely Joshua, assuming he defeats Pulev, has two choices: fight Usyk or vacate the WBO belt in order to pursue Fury.

What is Fury’s situation?

How has Wilder reacted to this?