Oleksandr Usyk has spoken positively about the launch of Dana White and Turki Alalshikh’s boxing league.
UFC president White recently announced the launch of his new TKO boxing league alongside Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh and WWE president Nick Khan.
The new concept will try to replicate the model of the UFC in the sport, and is expected to launch with a mega-fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford in September.
White and the TKO top brass are already planning to hold four ‘mega events’ over the next two years, and unified heavyweight world champion Usyk will no doubt be a target.
The league has received a mixed reaction from the boxing fraternity, but Usyk is extremely positive about the new investment.
He told Al Arabiya News: “Amazing, amazing idea. I think His Excellency is doing a lot for the sport.
“It is wonderful that new initiatives are created and I support it.
“Many people think things may not work, but it is important to do new things. Always.
“I am not against it, but I haven’t been invited to participate in this league.
“But if such a proposal comes through, my team and I will seriously consider it.”
Usyk has benefitted from having no concrete deal with a promoter, fighting on a multitude of different shows.
His personal promoter Alex Krassyuk has been able to negotiate him the biggest of fights including two bouts with both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
White would no doubt be delighted if he can scoop Usyk for an outing on his launching promotion.
Usyk is currently the pound-for-pound king at the age of 37 and is understood to want two more fights before retiring from the sport.
He has recently been ordered by the WBO to defend his title against Joseph Parker.
But the champion himself wants to face Daniel Dubois in another undisputed clash with his rival’s IBF strap on the line.
Despite the order, an undisputed agreement could be reached if they are able to file an exception.
And prior to the mandatory defence being confirmed, Dubois’ promoter Frank Warren insisted that is their primary option for a fight this summer.
He told talkSPORT: “I met with him and his father and we are working on his next fight,” Warren said on talkSPORT’s White & Jordan.
“Hopefully we will be in a position to announce that soon. The Usyk fight, I’d love it.
“It’s a great fight, a great rematch and a real story to it. That is the two best heavyweights out there fighting each other.
“If we can get it on, I’d be delighted with that. The one I’d like to make and Daniel would like to make is the rematch with Usyk.
“Usyk against Daniel Dubois is a mega mega fight, that would sell Wembley out in a day.
“If we can get it over the line, it could be at Wembley yeah. That is where I’d like it go.
“I’d love to get a home advantage for our guy and the event would be huge.”
