Shelly Finkel, the manager for former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, indicates that his boxer would be very interested in facing IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA champion Oleskandr Usyk - if the unified beltholder is unable to reach an agreement with mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.

The WBA has ordered Usyk to face Dubois, who holds the organization's "regular" title.

Wilder is next in line, with the WBA's number one position in the rankings.

"If Deontay was offered the fight against Oleksandr Usyk, of course we would be interested," Finkel told Sky Sports.

The WBA released a statement on Tuesday, which set down a purse bid for the Usyk vs. Dubois encounter: "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."

Usyk has been out of the ring since last fall, when he outpointed Anthony Joshua in their rematch. In the early months of 2023, he was engaged in serious negotiations for an April undisputed fight with WBC champion Tyson Fury. The two sides were unable to reach an agreement on the financial terms for a rematch.

On his end, Dubois suffered a knee injury during his December fight with Kevin Lerena. The injury led to Dubois being dropped three times in the bout. During the contest, he appeared to be on the verge of a stoppage loss, but Dubois rallied to drop and stop Lerena in the third round.

New also broke earlier this week that Dubois has parted way with his trainer Shane McGuigan - and is now being trained by veteran coach Don Charles.