WBA Orders Purse Bid For Usyk Vs. Dubois As Wilder Waits In The Wings

The WBA has ordered that a purse bid be held on May 25th, 2023, for a potential Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois fight.

The unified champion had been on course for a historic undisputed fight with Tyson Fury, only for talks to break down. This was despite the fact that Usyk had agreed to a 70-30 split.

Thereafter, the Ukrainian agreed to serve his mandatory obligations, one of which was Dubois. Both sides had initially been given until May 3rd, 2023, to come to an agreement.

Breaking: With no deal made, WBA on Monday scheduled #UsykDubois purse bid for May 25 in Houston & notified its registered promoters. Min d: $1 mllion. Split is 75-25 Usyk favor. Also scheduled for same time bid is Hector Garcia-Lamont Roach 130 mandatory. $120k min. 75-25 Garcia

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) May 15, 2023

The failure to do so has now resulted in the purse bid. According to Dan Rafael, the split will be 75-25 in favor of Usyk.

But if Dubois is unable or unwilling to compete, the champion will be directed to fight the second-ranked challenger, Deontay Wilder.

This is particularly pertinent since Dubois had injured his knee in his last fight against Kevin Lerena, even if he did come out victorious, as questions remain over his fitness.

“If Dubois is not available due to his knee injury (Dubois injuring his knee in his last fight, that odd fight Dubois won by stoppage against Kevin Lerana back in December) or any other reason, Usyk will be ordered to face the next contender in the rankings, which is Deontay Wilder,” Rafael said.