Oleksandr Usyk and Joe Joyce hold talks over fight for WBO ‘interim’ world title… freeing up Joshua to face Fury

OLEKSANDR USYK is reportedly in talks to fight Joe Joyce with the WBO ‘interim’ title on the line.

That would mean Anthony Joshua is free for the mouthwatering Battle of Britain undisputed heavyweight clash against Tyson Fury.

Oleksandr Usyk could fight Joe Joyce next for the WBO ‘interim’ titleJoe Joyce battered Daniel Dubois into submission last time out

Usyk appeared determined in his focus to take up his mandatory shot at the WBO champ Joshua – which proved a spanner in the works for AJ versus Fury.

But the Ukrainian has recently admitted the two Brits fighting for all the belts is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.

And the blow of having to wait again may be softened with what on paper looks like a super-scrap against Joyce.

The Juggernaut is coming off the back of a stunning KO upset win against Daniel Dubois and is firmly in world title contention.

And his promoter Warren is hoping to make the Usyk fight with the winner waiting for Fury or Joshua.

Warren told iFL TV: “We’re working on, at the moment, Usyk and Joe Joyce.

“I think the WBO will order that as an interim-title fight so we’re working hard to make that happen.

“The situation is that the WBO have said they’d like to do that fight as an eliminator. We have no objection to that and I don’t think Usyk has.

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“There’s been some preliminary talks and we’ll see where we go from there.

“I hope [the fight will get made]. It’s a good fight and I think whoever wins it, based on his last performance, Joe’s looking really good.

“If he comes through it, it puts the winner in a tremendous position.

“The eventual winner of the two fights between Tyson and AJ will have to defend against Joyce or Usyk, or vacate the belt.”

Talks are continuing to get the Joshua versus Fury deal done, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn in confident mood.

Speaking to talkSPORT the 41-year-old said: “All I can tell you is things are looking nice.

“We’ve got a lot on our plate, but we’re working on the contracts now, working on the finer details with Bob Arum.

“I’m very confident you’re gonna see this fight this summer.

“I think both guys are all-in on this fight.

“The devil is always in the detail but both guys committed to make this fight.

“Hopefully early February we can give you a date and a venue as to where that fight will take place.”