Pereira and Usyk are not against a face-to-face confrontation
Alexander Usik, photo – Getty Images
The coach of former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (12-3), Glover Teixeira, believes that his protégé’s fight with WBC, IBO, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) could be for the heavyweight belt.
“Maybe the boxing promotion of Turki Al-ash Sheikh and Dana White will organize a fight between Usyk and Alex for the heavyweight championship belt. Although, I think that Usyk will be able to fight in the light heavyweight division.”
In March, Turki Al-ash Sheikh and TKO Group signed a multi-year partnership agreement under the leadership of UFC President Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan. The new boxing promotion will serve as a premier platform for both top boxers and up-and-coming juniors.
Usyk previously stated that he would have no more than two fights before ending his career. The first could be a fight against IBF belt holder Daniel Dubois. The event could be given the status of a fight for the title of absolute world champion and take place in London at Wembley.
Usyk named a meeting with Pereira as one of the options for the second fight. In turn, Alex is positively inclined towards such a show and is ready to fight according to boxing rules.
Pereira's last fight was at UFC 313 in Las Vegas, USA in March. The Brazilian lost to Magomed Ankalaev by decision and lost his light heavyweight title.
At the same time, the WBO has officially determined that Usyk will defend his championship belt. The Ukrainian's opponent should be WBO champion Joseph Parker. The New Zealander has already challenged Alexander to a fight.
The parties were given 30 days to negotiate – if the deal is not agreed upon, the WBO will hold a promoter bid for the event. If Alexander refuses the mandatory defense, the organization reserves the right to strip Alexander of the championship belt and make it vacant.
The Ukrainian champion is considering options on how not to lose the WBO belt. The first option is a fee for Parker: the New Zealander agrees to give up his turn and goes into “waiting mode”, and only then fights the winner of the confrontation between Alexander and Daniel. However, there is another outcome: Usyk's team writes an official request to the WBO to postpone the fight.