Oleksandr Usyk joins Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom edging Tony Bellew fight closer
It mean the two boxers will be stablemates, and could fight for all the cruiserweight titles
OLEKSANDR USYK has joined Eddie Hearns's Matchroom Boxing - boosting the chances of a cruiserweight unification scrap against Tony Bellew.
It means the two will now be stable-mates, and Bellew is desperate for a crack at Usyk's WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF world titles.
The pound-for-pound star will team up with Matchroom Boxing alongside K2 Promotions with his next fight to be shown live on streaming giant DAZN and Sky Sports.
Ukrainian cruiserweight king Usyk took the WBO and WBC belts into the World Boxing Super Series final against Murat Gassiev in July, where a 12-round masterclass earned him the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine belts too.
In comprehensively outclassing Gassiev, the London 2012 Olympic gold medallist created history by becoming the first man in the cruiserweight division to hold all four recognised World titles at one time.
After his sensational performance against Gassiev, Usyk called out former WBC Champion Bellew and is hopeful of defending all of his belts against the Liverpudlian in a blockbuster showdown in the UK later this year.
Southpaw Usyk has also spoken of his desire to storm the heavyweight division after tearing through the professional ranks, winning all 15 fights since turning over in 2013.
He has even touted heavyweight king Anthony Joshua as a possible future opponent.
He said: “I’m thrilled that K2 Promotions will be working with Matchroom Boxing moving forward to secure me the biggest fights out there.
“Fans can look forward to watching me take on the biggest and best names in the sport. Boxing for me is all about drama and victory, and there is plenty more to come.
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"A fight with Tony Bellew would be a momentous occasion, he is a good boxer and a good person and I also have the option to move into the heavyweight division.
"Thankfully, England is more than just a country for me, in this country I got what I was reaching for half of my life, I got my Olympic gold medal and in Liverpool I became European Champion in 2008.
"England is a lucky country for me and fortune comes only with hard work.”
And Matchroom supremo Hearn is understandably delighted with his latest acquisition.
He said: “I’m delighted to be working with Usyk and K2 in bringing a pound-for-pound star to the Matchroom team.
“Usyk holds all the cards at cruiserweight and is already eyeing a move to heavyweight and in particular a fight with Joshua.
"Right now our priority is to try and finalise a super fight with Tony Bellew later this year but either way we will announce his next fight in the very near future which will come to you live on DAZN and Sky Sports.”