Joe Joyce believes that Oleksandr Usyk has no interest in defending his world titles against him at some point next year.
After defeating Joseph Parker last month to acquire interim status on the WBO heavyweight crown, Joyce is now in pole position to face Usyk next in a fight that would be a rematch from their amateur days, a contest won by the Ukrainian.
Usyk has been linked to numerous high-profile bouts with an undisputed showdown against Tyson Fury being the standout match.
Deontay Wilder, fresh off making a successful ring return last weekend, has also mentioned Usyk’s name, but Joyce, who is ready to fight at the highest level, has no confidence that he’ll be next for the two-weight world champion.
“Ideally, I would like to fight Usyk,” said Joyce when speaking to Metro. “But it seems he is now looking elsewhere, considering moving back to cruiserweight or wanting to fight Fury - but it doesn’t look like that is on the table at the moment. Usyk could vacate and then I would be elevated.
I think he’s probably going to vacate. He doesn’t want that smoke. He has also been at it a long time. Hundreds of amateur bouts over the years and he will have earned very decent money for his last two fights. I don’t know, does he really want to take on The Juggernaut?”