Oleksandr Usyk is hoping for a heavyweight unification bout with Tyson Fury after the Gypsy King faces Dillian Whyte this weekend. The Ukrainian Usyk has stated that he'll be watching and studying Fury's approach in the fight with the hope that he'll face the heavyweight champion next after he faces Anthony Joshua for the second time.
Usyk is set to face Joshua this summer after confirming the fight would go ahead after initially looking like he may have to pull out. Usyk recently returned to his home country of Ukrain e to join the fight against the invading Russia. The world was left stunned last month when Russia invaded their Eastern European neighbours, leading to a wealth of sanctions against Vladimir Putin's country from Western powers.
Ukrainian men have been prevented from crossing the border, instead required to sign-up to defend the country - and Usyk was one of many athletes to answer the call, alongside fellow boxers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko and Vasily Lomachenko. But Usyk has now left Ukraine in preparation for his fight with Joshua.
ALSO READ: Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whye - All you need to know
Usyk could have been facing Fury this weekend, with Joshua having an offer on the table to forego his rematch with Usyk, to let Tyson Fury and Usyk meet in a unification bout. However, deals were not agreed, with Fury now set to face Dillian Whyte on Saturday night.
And Usyk's team has confirmed they will be in the capital at the weekend to watch Fury in action. Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk's promoter told Sky Sports: "Definitely yes [we will be watching the fight]. Egis Klimas [Usyk's manager] and myself plan to attend the event and watch it from ringside. At Usyk's training camp, he will watch and study the fight on TV."
Although Fury has stated that Saturday will be his last fight, the Gypsy King failed to confirm that this would be the case when asked recently if he would retire after Whyte - leaving the door open to a potential bout with Usyk.
"To be honest with you I am only thinking about Dillian Whyte, I am not thinking about retirement," he said. "That will come after the fight, we will think about what will happen and what the future will hold for me.
"At the minute, I have a massive task in Dillian. A lot of people are underestimating Dillian Whyte but not me. I am giving him the respect he deserves throughout the training camp.
"I am not underestimating this guy, I give him the respect like I did for Deontay Wilder and everyone else."
