OLEKSANDRUSYK will likely leave Ukraine to train for a blockbuster match with Anthony Joshua.
The Ukraine Sports Minister granted Usyk permission to leave the country, despite the ongoing war.
Oleksandr Usyk, second from right, is believed to be leaving Ukraine in order to train for an Anthony Joshua match
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It was unclear if Usyk would stay in the ring or meet Joshua after Vasyl Lomachenko, a fellow boxing hero, declined to travel in June for his title fight against George Kambosos.
SunSport was informed by a source that it is true. Usyk will soon be moving to Europe for his training camp.
This would seem to signal the approval for a mega-fight between AJ and AJ sometime in June.
Eddie Hearn, a promoter, predicted earlier this week that Usyk, the two-weight world champion, would be ready for battle with the man he defeated.
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Hearn stated Monday that AJ vs Usyk is happening now. It will, I believe. It will be in June, I believe.
On Tuesday, the Essex promoter responded to those claims by claiming that the Lomachenko decision could influence Usyk. But there appears to be another twist.
Yesterday, Hearn stated that he believed that Usyk would win the fight. That was the feeling that I was getting back.
"But now, with Vasyl Lomachenko [opting for Ukraine], I believe it makes it more probable that he won’t.
"But all that we want to say is: 'We'll be giving you the time. It's not a problem but we want fight in between.' That's what we have to decide.
Usyk is reported to be reluctant to give up his brothers-in arms - but there are reports that his team is concerned about his advantage over AJ if he is allowed to have an interim opponent to increase his confidence.
Lomachenko had to face a similar question after his fight for the lightweight title with Kambosos Jr was cancelled.
Kambosos stated: "I respect you decision and I completely understand. I pray for your country and for you.
"Please be safe, Devin [Haney] will wipe the floor and we'll make this fight between two true champions. God bless."
Kambosos Jr. is currently aiming for a match-up with Devin Haney from America in an undisputed contest.
Lou DiBella, the promoter of Sydney's native, has stated that he admires Lomachenko.
ESPN quoted him as saying: "How can anyone doubt, the fight he is going through right now ist much bigger than any boxing bout."
"We made a deal, it was done literally before the invasion. We wanted to give him every chance possible within reason and our allowed timeframe.
We have nothing but respect for his decision. Kambosos wanted Lomachenko to have ample time to consider his decision after we had made the deal.
"We had said we would fight the hardest fights, and that is what we did today."
