Oleksandr Usyk’s team has named a staggering price for a potential trilogy fight against Anthony Joshua, citing “complicated” negotiations. Usyk previously defeated Joshua twice, first claiming the unified WBA, IBF, and WBO belts in 2021 and then retaining them in their rematch a year later.

Promoter Alex Krassyuk discussed the challenges of arranging a third bout, stating, “Anthony Joshua was talking about the third fight. He’s a great champ. He’s changed a lot since the two fights with Usyk. We’ve seen him going down and see him rising up. It’s also a complicated fight to make because now we are on different levels.”

Krassyuk noted that Usyk was relatively unknown during their first fight, while Joshua was a massive star in the UK. Despite Usyk’s victories, Joshua remains a significant draw. This dynamic makes a third fight appealing on a global scale.

Usyk reportedly earned around £50 million for his two victories over Joshua. However, Krassyuk has set a much higher price for a trilogy fight, aiming for a $200 million purse. This figure is almost four times what Usyk made from their previous bouts.

Usyk, 37, recently defeated Tyson Fury to become the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion. However, he vacated the IBF belt to prepare for his December 21 rematch with Fury in Saudi Arabia. As a result, Daniel Dubois was elevated from interim champion and will defend the belt against Joshua on September 21 at Wembley.

Despite the challenges, the potential for a high-stakes trilogy fight between Usyk and Joshua remains an intriguing prospect for boxing fans worldwide.