Oleksandr Usyk has opened the door to fighting Joe Joyce after the British fighter made himself a mandatory challenger to the Ukrainian’s WBO belt.
A decisive 11th-round knockout of former champion Joseph Parker on the weekend elevated the 37-year-old to the position of genuine world title contender - and he immediately demanded a fight with Usyk.
But the man who conquered Anthony Joshua twice has reaffirmed his desire to fight Tyson Fury next.
“I can probably do it - but after Fury,” he told Parimatch.
Amid Fury’s turbulent talks with Joshua’s camp over a contest in December, Usyk has revealed talks are taking place with the Saudi Arabian organisers of his bout with AJ over hosting the unification battle.
The IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champ will not fight this year however, as he spends time with his family away from gruelling training camps and recovers from injury.
“[Fury]’s talking about 500 million pounds for the fight,” added the 35-year-old. “He’s a lunatic, but in a good sense I mean. I’d also want 500 million, but it’s something crazy.
“Fury is talking and he’s already selling the fight. So, he’ll agree on it because it would be such an impressive bout.
“And as we were talking with the organisers of the fight against AJ in Saudi Arabia, the promoters were already interested in organising a bout against Fury at another stadium with capacity of 80-90 thousand.
“Hopefully it will take place here in Ukraine, although it’s just a dream at the moment. But dreams can come true.”
