Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk rematch: What’s next for the winner? Robert Helenius requires mandatory footage | Boxing News
Heavyweight contender Robert Helenius has asked the WBA to identify him as the required challenger for their ‘super’ title and award him the next blow to Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua winner.
The winner of Usyk’s rematch with Joshua on August 20 will secure that WBA title, as well as the WBO and IBF heavyweight belts. But winning one of the biggest matches of 2022 will also leave the winner facing a series of obligatory challengers, all ultimately looking to push their claim for each belt. that title.
England’s Joe Joyce is positioned as the WBO’s number one heavyweight challenger, while Helenius is adamant that he should be there to force himself to fight for the WBA belt.
“I’m strictly WBA mandatory, so of course I’m interested in the winner of Usyk vs Joshua,” said Helenius Sports sky.
The 38-year-old from Finland has stopped Adam Kownacki in his last two bouts, most recently the standout in the under-fight Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder III. Helenius won the WBA ‘gold’ belt in her first match against Kownacki and is currently in second place in their world rankings. He is adamant that he must be next to challenge winner Usyk-Joshua for the WBA championship.
“I should definitely be next. All my post-elimination matches have been bulls. At this point, if we are not designated as mandatory after Usyk’s next match, we will there’s only one option,” he insisted.
“My attorneys are very confident that the WBA broke this whole thing, so I’m confident in my position.”
Sports sky approached the WBA for comment.
Helenius will be looking for further opportunities this year, possibly as a return rival to Wilder or even Fury.
British contenders like Daniel Dubois or Joe Joyce could also see him as the right fighter to claim a major title.
“For now, I’ll just focus on training and see how Usyk vs Joshua and my WBA situation play out,” Helenius said.
“But I’m definitely still in a great position for something very big in the coming months.”
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