The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has confirmed it will not block a potential trilogy fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk following their upcoming December 21 rematch.
WBO president Gustavo Olivieri told talkSPORT that the sanctioning body would support a third bout if warranted by the outcome of this weekend's clash.
The decision comes as Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has expressed intentions to arrange a third bout should Fury come out victorious in their second meeting.
The pair will face off on Saturday with the WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight titles on the line as the IBF belt is unavailable.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could complete a famous trilogy next year
PA
"In order to leave the door open for a future rematch, we sanctioned the [first] fight with a specific condition whereby the championship committee would reserve its right to order the mandatory when it deemed appropriate," Olivieri said.
"But at the same time, considering there are other rated contenders waiting in line, we sanctioned an interim championship to allow that activity to continue, and you can argue that there should only be one champion and I may agree but that has a flip side.
"If we do a rematch, which is taking place on Saturday, and let's say something happens that warrants a trilogy.
"In the balance of interest, for what is best for the sport, is it the trilogy or is it ordering a mandatory?
"I think the consensus would be to let the trilogy take place and thereafter you force the mandatory.
"What we did was we sanctioned this fight with the same conditions as the prior one.
"If there is a trilogy, we will certainly allow it to happen. I think it would be a grave injustice from the WBO and me as the acting and newly elected president to prevent a trilogy from happening."
Oleksandr Usyk is the defending champion
PA
The WBO had specifically sanctioned the first fight with conditions allowing them to order mandatory challengers when deemed appropriate.
Current WBO interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who claimed the belt by defeating Zhilei Zhang in March, is set to face IBF champion Daniel Dubois on February 22.
The bout comes after Dubois secured his IBF title with a knockout victory over Anthony Joshua in September.
The IBF belt became available after Usyk was forced to relinquish it in June, having been unable to meet a mandatory defence due to his contracted rematch with Fury.
Dubois was subsequently elevated from interim to full world champion status before his successful defence against Joshua.
According to WBO rules, Parker will be required to relinquish his interim title when he faces Dubois, as the organisation does not permit interim champions to unify with world titles from other bodies.
"When you have an interim champion, we don't unify an interim champion with a legitimate champion from another organization, that is our policy," Olivieri explained.
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Tyson Fury will be hoping for revenge against Oleksandr Usyk
PAThe WBO president confirmed Parker will be allowed to enter the ring as interim champion and be announced as such.
However, once the opening bell rings, the interim title will automatically be declared vacant.
The WBO will subsequently order a vacant interim title fight between available challengers.
