Oleksandr Usyk's promoter has fired a clear warning to Anthony Joshua after the Ukrainian prepares to move up to the heavyweight ranks.
The unbeaten unified cruiserweight king, who knocked out Tony Bellew in November, will make his heavyweight debut against Joshua's former opponent Carlos Takam on May 25.
If he wins that fight as expected, and Joshua avoids any slip-ups against Jarrell Miller on June 1, then the duo could be on collision course for a massive title showdown with both of their perfect records on the line.
Usyk already has a co-promotional deal with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn meaning a bout should be easy to make, unlike the situation with Deontay Wilder which has left Joshua's camp frustrated.
And Alex Krassyuk revealed Usyk is on course to become a mandatory challenger for Joshua's WBO heavyweight strap after vacating the cruiserweight strap, making a future showdown "inevitable".
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Alex Krassyuk told Boxing Video: “The fact that Usyk will become a mandatory challenger is not PR.
“These are the WBO rules, which were confirmed by the organisation’s president Francisco Valcarcel; four days ago I spoke with him.
“If Usyk wins, he officially leaves the WBO [cruiserweight] title. Usyk gains the position of official heavyweight challenger.
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“Who is the champion? Joshua. So, Usyk is the mandatory claimant to fight with Joshua.
“From the moment when Usyk becomes the official challenger, the fight with Joshua is irreversible, inevitable.
“Will there be interim fights? Possibly. But all this is built in the form of a pyramid, on top of which will be a cherry – Usyk vs Joshua.”
