OLEKSANDR USYK is ‘already in Anthony Joshua’s head’ according to the Ukrainian’s promoter.
Usyk fights Brit Derek Chisora this weekend, and a victory will set up his WBO mandatory shot againt the champ Joshua.
And it is a fight that will definitely happen, according to Usyk’s co-promoter Alexander Krassyuk.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the boxing chief said: “Usyk is already in AJ’s head.
“Their fight will happen anyway, this is just a matter of time.
“There is no difference how big Usyk’s win is [versus Chisora] – AJ knows that this guy is a real threat for him.”
After becoming undisputed cruiserweight champ Usyk decided to step up to heavyweight.
With the move up the automatically became the WBO’s mandatory challenger – and of course it is AJ who holds that strap.
Joshua has his own business to take care of on December 12 with a title defence against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.
Then there is the ‘two fights agreed’ with Tyson Fury for 2021 – though Usyk could throw a spanner into those works.
First up for the 33-year-old Ukrainian is the daunting figure of Chisora, with the two clashing at Wembley Arena.
And that should be a good test on how far Usyk can go in the heavyweight division against a seasoned banger.
And it’s something Usyk’s co-promoter Eddie Hearn is intrigued about.
He added: “What do we know about Usyk? Genius. Amazing footwork. Punch selection, timing, mental capacity.
“What we don’t know? How tough he is under heavyweight firepower.
“When he boxed Chazz Witherspoon [in his heavyweight debut last year] there were a few signs that he didn’t like what was coming back.
“Witherspoon is nowhere near as good or fast as Chisora.
“There are a lot of questions for Usyk to answer at heavyweight but he is a genius who will go down as one of the greatest fighters of our generation.”
