Usyk sends message to Joshua after beating Witherspoon in heavyweight debut

Oleksandr Usyk says he wants to fight Anthony Joshua next after beating Chazz Witherspoon in his heavyweight debut.

The undisputed cruiserweight world champion made his first appearance at heavyweight in Chicago on Saturday.

In a dominant display, Usyk forced Witherspoon to retire on his stool after the end of the seventh round.

Usyk was officially made mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title earlier this year and the 32-year-old admits he is keen to face Joshua after his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr in December.

‘It’s not a question for me, it’s a question for Eddie [Hearn], whatever he can bring to me,’ Usyk said after his win over Witherspoon. ‘But if it were up to me, I probably will pick up the winner of Joshua – Ruiz.’

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Asked who he preferred to face, Usyk replied: ‘I think Joshua.’ Usyk weighed 15lbs over the cruiserweight limit for his heavyweight debut and the Ukrainian admits he will bulk up even more for his next contest. ‘I think I will add more weight, and we have time to add more weight,’ said Usyk.