The winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch is likely to be ordered to defend their world heavyweight titles against Robert Helenius, who defeated Adam Kownacki in a WBA final eliminator

Joshua defeated IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev last December, while he was beaten by Usyk, his WBO challenger, meaning that the WBA are the next governing body to enforce a world title defence.

Robert Helenius could emerge as the first opponent for the winner of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua rematch, with the WBA set to decide their mandatory challenger.

Joshua has activated a clause for an immediate rematch with Usyk, which will be held next spring after the Ukrainian star claimed the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts with a points win last month.

But according to Sky Sports,  the victorious champion must then fulfil mandatory defences of his titles, with Helenius potentially next in line to challenge after he overcame Adam Kownacki in a WBA final eliminator.

“Right now we are focused on the WBA mandatory position,” Helenius’ manager Markus Sundman told Sky Sports.

“Robert fought a WBA elimination bout in March 2020 against Adam Kownacki, and he placed a stamp on that victory in the rematch on October 9.

“Usyk should really be Robert’s next bout. “There is no more deserving challenger in the WBA. Charr, Bryan, Dubois, are they more deserving? I think not.

“Sometimes you have to dig your heels in the ground and fight for something important, and I can’t think of anything in sport more important than the heavyweight championship.

“We will do what is necessary to assure Robert’s rightful position as Usyk’s next WBA mandatory.”

“In the end, of course we have respect for [president] Gilberto [Mendoza] and the WBA, and we think that ultimately they will do the correct thing and formally order Robert as the next mandatory,” said Sundman.

“The WBA mandatory is due next, and that must be Robert.”

The Finnish contender is also guided by influential advisor Mike Borao, who has steered Charles Martin and Frank Sanchez to within striking distance of world heavyweight title shots.

Helenius’ team believe he can become the modern-day ‘Cinderella Man’, emulating the exploits of James J Braddock, who famously shocked Max Baer to become heavyweight champion in 1935.

“I am happy with my performance against Adam, but I know I can do even better,” Helenius told Sky Sports.

“This is the best I’ve felt since 2011. I think I showed in my last fight that when I am healthy, I can beat anyone and am one of the top heavyweights in the world.

“I leave those decisions to my team, but I did win a WBA eliminator against Kownacki, so that should probably be the next one.

“It’s been my dream to win a world title. At this point, I am so motivated I don’t feel anyone can beat me.

“Usyk or Fury, bring them both.”

Helenius twice defeated Kownacki on high-profile bills in America to boost his reputation, but he is willing to return to Europe for a world title shot.

“Usyk and Fury present different challenges and I would likely, and gladly, face either in their home countries,” said Helenius.

“But as I’ve showed in my last two bouts, travel is no problem for me. Honestly, Europe is probably more convenient than the US for me.

“It would be so huge here in Finland. I am happy that I’ve got back to a position where many people thought I would never be.

“One thing I can tell you, I will become heavyweight champion of the world for my family, my country, and for myself.”

The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has charged football –loving Nigerians to give ample support to the Super Falcons’ quest for a place at the 12^th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, as the nine-time African champions get set to fly into Accra on Saturday ahead of a second round, second leg encounter with the Black Queens.

“I am here to commend you for the victory over the Black Queens in the first leg and to assure you of support for the second leg match coming up in Accra on Sunday. I have the belief that you will make Nigeria proud,” Dr (Mrs) Sanwo-Olu said as she paid a surprise visit to the team at its training session inside the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Friday morning.

It can be recalled that Dr (Mrs) Sanwo-Olu was a conspicuous figure during the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament hosted by the City of Lagos last month, and is known for her works in support of the girl-child.

She praised team captain Asisat Oshoala (an indigene of Lagos State) for being a role model and a shining example of how high a girl-child can rise with commitment in her calling. “You are indeed an inspiration to the girl-child and we are proud of you.”

The Super Falcons’ contingent to Sunday’s match will fly into Accra on Saturday morning aboard a chartered Air Peace jet. The team will have the official training at the Accra Sports Stadium at 4pm Ghana time (5pm Nigeria time) on Saturday.

The threat of a boycott by European countries should the World Cup be held every two years was not discussed at a Fifa meeting on Wednesday, the body’s president Gianni Infantino says.

More than a dozen European nations are reportedly considering quitting FIFA  if the tournament is played biennially.

“Discussions were heated but they were positive,” said Infantino.

The Swiss hopes “common consensus” will be found when the issue is discussed again at a global summit in December.

On Tuesday, Infantino spoke to European football leaders in a private conference call and the plans were roundly criticised by the 55 Uefa member associations.

The Fifa Council – the main decision-making body consisting of 37 elected representatives – then met on Wednesday and the plans for a new international match calendar were discussed.

“The debate has been and will probably continue to be heated,” said Infantino. “I understand being passionate myself about football that you can have different opinions.

“We have received some legitimate criticism and some enthusiastic comments as well.

“It is so important for everyone to make their voice heard. Boycotts were not discussed today.

“I am confident on 20 December we will be able to present a common solution.”

Infantino said he did not know what any agreement would look like and did not confirm if a vote would be held at the summit.

It seems unlikely any decision will be made there, with Infantino suggesting the proposals face a drawn-out debate before being agreed, revised or thrown out.

“For me, everything is open. It is not my proposal or decision,” he said. “I have to facilitate the dialogue and bring everyone together.”

The plan to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cups every two years, instead of four, is being considered for “sporting motivations, not financial ones”, said Infantino, who added that football must “rethink the way it is structured globally” in order to ensure younger audiences are not turned away.

“It is about our children and making sure they continue to fall in love with the game,” he said.

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who is chief of global football development at Fifa, is a key supporter of the proposals and has been speaking to numerous stakeholders in an effort to win support.

A feasibility study and economic assessment of the financial impact of the move are expected to be delivered before December’s summit.

“I believe in working together we will come with something positive. Maybe it is a staged process, one step forward and one step back, or half a step or two steps,” said Infantino in a news conference after Wednesday’s Fifa Council meeting.

“I understand it is difficult for people to change things. We are here in good faith to work very hard to try and do something that is good for football.”

Infantino said under the plan the men’s and women’s World Cups would be held alternately, meaning a tournament would be played every year.

Tournaments hosted by a single country are also likely to be “a thing of the past”, he added.

“One country to take up the burden of organising a World Cup on its own is over.

“We know we can bring joy and unity, bring jobs to more than one country and we’re not asking one country to bankrupt itself.”

Meanwhile, Infantino confirmed the 2021 Club World Cup – which will feature European champions Chelsea – will be played in early 2022 and take place in the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, Japan pulled out of hosting the tournament in December because of Covid-19 restrictions in the country.