Joe Joyce is Awaiting Ruling From WBO, Says Frank Warren

Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren, says they are waiting on a decision from the WBO before deciding Joe Joyce’s next move.

Warren announced on social media in July that Joyce became the WBO mandatory challenger and is on course for his maiden world heavyweight title shot.

Unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the WBO belt as well as the IBO, WBA ‘Super’ and IBF titles, is set to rematch Anthony Joshua next year after dethroning the Brit in September.

Usyk was the WBO’s mandatory challenger at the time of the first encounter – which indicates that at some point the sanctioning body will order the winner of the second bout to face Joyce in 2022.

The rematch is being positioned for a date in the month of March, according to Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom.

Warren says the winner will face the ‘Juggernaut’.

“We’re waiting for the WBO to decide what they’re going to do regarding their mandatory for [Oleksandr] Usyk,” Warren told Pro Boxing Fans.

“They’ll probably allow Usyk another fight in between. They’ve called for a rematch with AJ. But the winner of that will have to fight [Joyce].”

The 36-year-old has not fought since a 6th round TKO victory over Carlos Takam in July.

Asked if the Londoner would fight in the interim, Warren replied: “We’ve got to wait to see what they say.

“Then when we know what they say we can then make our decision.”