WBO orders Anthony Joshua to defend title against Oleksandr Usyk: report

Could Olexsanr Usyk be next for Anthony Joshua?

Joshua barely had time to grasp what he accomplished by outpointing Andy Ruiz Jr. in their rematch Saturday in Saudi Arabia, winning back three heavyweight titles, when the WBO ordered him to defend its belt against Usyk.

Joshua (23-1, 21 knockouts) must face Usyk (17-0, 13 KOs) by early next June, according to the Daily Mail.

Joshua, who was stopped by Ruiz  last June, thoroughly outboxed him in the rematch to win a wide decision to regain the clout that comes with holding heavyweight titles.

In a perfect world, he’d fight the winner of the Feb. 22 fight between Deontay Wilder, who holds the fourth major belt, and Tyson Fury to unify all the titles. It’s not that easy, though.

If Joshua decides not to defend against Usyk, he could be stripped of the belt and any immediate chance of becoming undisputed champion. In that case, Usyk, the mandatory challenger, could fight someone (Derek Chisora? Joseph Parker?) for the vacant title.

However, Usyk, a cruiserweight-turned-heavyweight who was 2018 Fighter of the Year, is an attractive opponent for Joshua. He could possibly take that fight and, if he wins, take on the Wilder-Fury winner afterward.

Another option for Joshua is a third fight with Ruiz, as Joshua suggested immediately after the fight.

Joshua is likely to take some time to enjoy his victory and then sit down with his advisors to plot out his future. All possibilities undoubtedly will be considered.