Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom believes Joe Joyce should be the next boxer in line to get a crack at IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk captured the world titles in 2021 with a twelve round unanimous decision over Anthony Joshua. He retained the titles last year with another twelve round decision win over Joshua.

He was in deep discussions for a summer unification with WBC champion Tyson Fury, but the two sides were ultimately unable to reach an agreement.

After the fallout with Fury, the World Boxing Association ordered Usyk to make a mandatory defense against Daniel Dubois, who holds the WBA's "regular" title.

Joyce is the WBO's mandatory challenger and has the organization's interim-title. He returns to the ring next Saturday night in a showdown with fellow Olympian Zhang Zhilei. Joyce, who is undefeated, also holds a stoppage victory over Dubois, which is the only defeat on his record.

In his last ring appearance, Dubois overcame three knockdowns and a leg injury to scored a stoppage victory over Kevin Lerena.

Hearn doesn't believe Dubois has done enough to secure a world title shot at Usyk.

The sanctioning bodies have agreed on a schedule of world title shots at Usyk and the WBA was the first organization in line.

The handlers for Usyk and Dubois have already come together to begin negotiations for a summer showdown.

“I like Daniel Dubois, but who on earth has he beat to become mandatory for Oleksandr Usyk? Trevor Bryan, Kevin Lerena and Bogdan Dinu. Fair play to [Dubois], but I think Joe Joyce should be getting a shot well ahead of him, but good luck to him,” Hearn told IFL TV.