Ambitious plans for Anthony Joshua to struggle Deontay Wilder as a part of a profitable double invoice in Saudi Arabia on the finish of the yr might fail to materialise if Daniel Dubois can't recuperate from harm. Event organisers within the Middle East need Brit Joshua to tackle Wilder in December on the identical evening as a potential duel between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. The mega-money double invoice can be one of many greatest nights within the latest historical past of the game, however already the possibilities of the occasion coming to go have been thrown into doubt.

That's as a result of WBA heavyweight champion Usyk is anticipated to face obligatory challenger Dubois in Houston, Texas on May 25, with the governing physique having referred to as purse bids for subsequent week.

But 25-year-old Dubois is at present recovering from an harm and should not return to health in time to face Ukrainian Usyk within the US. And if that proves to be the case, the WBA has confirmed that the chance to face Usyk would then be handed to Wilder.

The American has already indicated that he would contemplate going through the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight champion, ought to Dubois be compelled to face apart.

An announcement from the WBA learn: "The World Boxing Association (WBA) ordered the Purse bid between heavyweight super champion Oleksandr Usyk and his mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, which will take place on May 25 in Houston, Texas."

Boxing journalist Dan Rafeal Tweeted: "WBA told me that if Dubois is not available due to his knee injury or any other reason, Usyk will be ordered to face the next contender in the rankings, which is Deontay Wilder."

Should Wilder in the end find yourself going through Usyk subsequent month, that may put a severe query mark over the 37-year-old's proposed bout with Joshua in December. Saudi officers don't need Joshua or Wilder to struggle this summer time and danger scuppering a headline face-off in December, ought to both fighter lose beforehand.

Eddie Hearn has already indicated that he would really like Joshua to potentially face Dillian Whyte in a warm-up struggle this August, forward of a extra severe head-to-head with Wilder within the Middle East.

But Wilder's supervisor Shelly Finkel advised Sky Sports: "If Deontay was offered the fight against Oleksandr Usyk, of course we would be interested."

Usyk is eager to face Dubois subsequent month, with greater than an eye fixed on the possibly explosive undisputed conflict with Fury in December. It will not be clear, nevertheless, if he can be as enthusiastic a couple of match-up with a fighter like Wilder earlier than the December proposal has been rubber-stamped.