Two-time Heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has been ordered to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title against mandatory challenger, Oleksandr Usyk, after winning his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jnr on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
WBO President, Francisco Varcarcel, said Joshua must take on the Ukranian within the 180 days or risk losing his titles.
Joshua swept the scorecard with a unanimous 118-110, 118-110, 110-109 verdict to beat Ruiz to reclaim the WBA, IBF and WBO belts that he lost to Ruiz in New York.
If he does not agree to meet the Ukrainian former cruiser-weight king before then, he will be forced to vacate his belt, dealing a setback to his hopes of adding the WBC crown.
The Ukranian has conquered the cruiser-weight division and made his long-awaited step up in weight in October when he stopped Chazz Wither spoon in the seventh round.
COMMENTS