The WBA is considering ordering a fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder if Daniel Dubois is unable to fight the former this summer due to his surgically repaired knee. Dubois and Usyk were set to fight for the IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight titles, but a purse bid scheduled for May 25th could be cancelled if Dubois is unfit to fight.
Dubois, who has been cleared by his doctor to return to the ring, injured his knee in his fight against Kevin Lerena last December. The WBA President, Gilberto Mendoza, has said that if Dubois cannot fight Usyk this summer, the latter will lose his mandatory challenger position, and the WBA will order a fight between Usyk and former WBC titlist, Deontay Wilder.
However, Wilder, who ranks No. 1 by the WBA, is unlikely to take the fight as he plans to fight Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia in December. If Wilder does reject the fight, the WBA will look to the next available contender in their rankings to face Usyk.
Usyk hopes to fight the WBC champion, Tyson Fury, but it is unclear if this fight can be arranged. Meanwhile, Dubois will have no choice but to take the fight against Usyk and hope that the Ukrainian fighter does not move too much and gives him a chance to land his shots.
A summer fight against Dubois is not favourable for Usyk as it could result in injuries or defeat. It would also leave him with little time to rest and recuperate for a fight against Fury in December. If Usyk vacates his WBA title to avoid the fight with Dubois, his fight with Fury would not be for the undisputed championship, which could make it less attractive.