Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk are set to decide upon a location for their rematch in 2022, which means Tyson Fury’s path to face Dillian Whyte is clear.
Joshua and Usyk fought at the end of September and the Ukrainian was a convincing winner as he claimed the IBF, WBA and WBO belts from the 32-year-old Briton.
Usyk, 34, is obliged to give Joshua the chance of a rematch and that is expected to go ahead in early 2022.
Usyk and Fury had been given a month to organise an undisputed clash after the WBC champion’s successful defence against Deontay Wilder in October, but those plans were never seriously entertained. That means that Whyte, the WBC interim champion, is free to face Fury as his mandatory challenger, especially after his proposed fight with Otto Wallin appears to be cancelled rather than delayed.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk explained that he will discuss with Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn the location of the pair’s fight.
"We plan to meet with [Joshua's promoter] Eddie Hearn within the next couple of weeks to initiate the rematch activities," he said.
"We have three options under consideration: the UK, Ukraine and the Middle East.
"Hopefully by the end of 2021, we will be in the position to take the final decision."
The promoter explained that Usyk is content to wait for any shot at becoming undisputed at heavyweight. Ask if the 34-year-old was frustrated, Krassyuk say: "Not at all. We were 100 per cent aware of the rematch clause, we gave our word and signed it on paper.
"There is no space for frustration, as things are going the way we planned them to go.
"Tyson has to prove his championship position by going through the mandatory. But this is up to him and his team.
"On our side, we keep focus on the rematch as the No 1 option."