DANIEL DUBOIS is in line to fight Oleksandr Usyk should the Ukrainian’s clash with Tyson Fury fall through.
Talks over a blockbuster undisputed heavyweight title fight between Usyk and Gypsy King Fury are currently ongoing and are expected to soon be finalised.
The WBA, however, have ordered Usyk face to mandatory challenger and regular titleholder Dubois – who the slick southpaw has earmarked as his next opponent should a fight with Fury fail to materialise.
Coach Sergey Lapin told Vegas Insider said: “I think that the WBA ordering Usyk to fight Daniel Dubois will not be a hindrance to the undisputed contest between Usyk and Tyson Fury, the fight we all want to see.
“All promoters involved are currently committed to finding out who the best is in the heavyweight division at the earliest opportunity.
“We hope nothing will get in the way of that fight happening, however, the option to fight Dubois will be a backup plan in case that fight breaks down.
“But Daniel Dubois is not the fight that boxing fans would like to see in 2023.”
Dubois retained his WBA (regular) heavyweight title earlier this month with a third-round TKO victory over Kevin Lerena.
And prior to Dubois’ destruction of the South African, Usyk’s promoter revealed Triple D would get the next crack at the unified heavyweight titles.
Alexander Krassyuk told BetFred: “We’re looking at Saudi Arabia most likely.
“We have a timeslot between February 18th and March 4th 2023 in our mind to book this fight.
“It all depends on how it’s going to finish on Saturday, because even if Fury comes through the winner against [Derek] Chisora, he may be injured or have some broken bones that may mean a longer wait for the undisputed fight.
“If something does go wrong then we’re probably going to look at the mandatories we have and Daniel Dubois is the first in line.”
Despite a fight with Dubois being a distinct possibility, Usyk’s sights are solely set on unifying the division against Fury.
Krassyuk said: “This is the only thing Usyk wants. He doesn’t want to go through all the mandatories, he wants to go straight to glory and legacy.
“This is the fight that most of the fans in the world want to see.
“There’s never been a heavyweight that’s had four of the belts at the same time, so this is history in the making.
“You can’t find any reason for not taking this fight.
“If you’re a man, you respect your fans and you respect boxing, then you can have no excuse not to fight Usyk.
“Everybody is on board. Queensberry promotions is on board, Usyk’s team is and Usyk is as well.
“Our partners in the Middle East are ready and willing to host this fight.
“The only thing that is still pending is the consent of a tall, bald, gypsy man to get beaten. That’s it.”
