Ivan Dychko aims for another clash with Anthony Joshua after losing in an Olympic semi-final against the Briton back in 2012.
The 33-year-old is 13-0 with 12 knockouts since turning professional after scoring back-to-back bronze medals in London and at Rio 2016. Dychko told World Boxing News he’ll return to the ring next month as he looks to make headway in his bid to gain a massive fight in 2025.
Joshua is a target following victory over the Kazakh puncher before he went on to defeat Roberto Cammarelle in the Olympic final. Dychko would love to exact revenge over the British two-time world heavyweight champion, especially if AJ defeats Daniel Dubois for the IBF title in September.
“My next fight will be in August, and I am now waiting for the official announcement of the date,” Dychko told WBN exclusively. “I am confident I will be ready to face top heavyweights next year.
I’m interested in big names such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk. Of course, I would like to fight Anthony Joshua. We were still young at the Olympics, and now it would be a different boxing.”
As one of the smaller heavyweights around, Dychko was asked about a potential run at bridgerweight. However, the 230-plus-pound puncher wouldn’t give any consideration to a move at this point.
“I never thought about moving to another weight category. I like super heavyweight. The best heavyweight in five years will be Ivan Dychko, so I am focused on that.”
On the Usyk vs. Fury rematch and that spectacular round where the Ukrainian almost stopped the “Gypsy King,’ Dychko stated, “I find it difficult to answer this question, but I think Tyson Fury has a chance to win if he corrects his mistakes. When Usyk almost stopped him, it was a beautiful moment for boxing. This is why they love boxing.”
In conclusion, answering a question about Joshua vs Dubois, Dychko said, “I think Joshua has a good chance of winning.”
Another on the hitlist for Dychko could be Joe Joyce, who fights this weekend. Joyce also defeated Dychko at the semi-final stage of the Olympics and faces Derek Chisora at the O2 Arena.
If “The Juggernaut” can win over his compatriot, a clash with Dychko is possible in late 2024 or the coming year.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
