Get to know who will the undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk fight next after his victory against Daniel Dubois!
Saturday night at Wembley was supposed to be Daniel Dubois’ moment of glory. The young Brit had everything going for him. He had home advantage, a packed stadium full of supporters, and the hunger to prove he belonged at the top of the heavyweight division. But Oleksandr Usyk had other plans. The Ukrainian master craftsman reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the greatest pound for pound fighters of this generation. He delivered a brutal left hand in round five that left Dubois unable to continue. Just like that, the dreams of Dubois fans were crushed, and Usyk walked away with all four major heavyweight belts.
At 38 years old, most fighters would be thinking about retirement and counting their money. But Usyk isn’t most fighters. The man who conquered both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions as an undisputed champion doesn’t seem ready to hang up his gloves just yet. In fact, moments after knocking out Dubois, he was already talking about his next potential opponents. There are four names that have boxing fans around the world reaching for their calendars and calculators. So who exactly is on Usyk’s shopping list, and what would each fight bring to the table?
Let’s be honest here. This is the fight no many want to see for a third time. Usyk has beaten Fury twice already and those fights were so close and entertaining. The ‘Gypsy King’ might have lost both encounters, but he pushed Usyk harder than anyone else has managed to do in recent years. Their second fight was an absolute war that could have gone either way on the scorecards.
Fury brings something unique to the table that other heavyweights simply don’t possess. His size, awkward style, and ability to switch between boxing and rough house tactics make him a nightmare matchup for anyone. Plus, there’s always that psychological warfare element with Fury. A trilogy fight would be massive for the sport, especially if it happened in Las Vegas or back at Wembley. The only question is whether Fury’s ego can handle another potential loss to the Ukrainian master!
AJ represents one of the most intriguing options on Usyk’s list. The former heavyweight champion has been on a rollercoaster ride over the past few years, losing his belts to Andy Ruiz Jr., winning them back, then losing them again to Usyk in their first encounter. Their 2021 fight was a tactical chess match that Usyk won convincingly. However, boxing fans know that rematches can tell completely different stories.
Joshua has been working with new trainer Ben Davison and seems to have found some of his old fire again. The British superstar still possesses knockout power that can end any fight with one shot. A second fight between these two would be absolutely massive in the UK, probably selling out Wembley Stadium. The storyline writes itself. Can Joshua avenge his previous loss and reclaim his status as the king of heavyweight boxing?
Now this might seem like an odd choice on paper. Derek Chisora might be 40 years old and past his prime, but the man still brings something special to every fight: pure entertainment value. ‘Del Boy’ has been involved in some of the most exciting heavyweight wars of the past decade. He might not win, but he will definitely make Usyk work for every round.
Chisora represents the fun, fan-friendly option on Usyk’s list. It’s the kind of fight that would be pure entertainment from start to finish. The London crowd would absolutely love seeing Chisora getting one more shot at glory. Usyk deserves a night where he can showcase his skills against someone who will come forward and trade punches.
Joseph Parker might be the smartest choice on Usyk’s list, even though he’s probably the least exciting name for casual fans. The New Zealander has quietly rebuilt his career into something impressive. He’s technically sound, durable, and has been looking sharp in recent fights against quality opposition.
Parker is not going to try to outbox the Ukrainian master. Instead, Parker would likely try to rough up Usyk on the inside, lean on him, and make it an ugly, physical fight. It’s not the most glamorous style, but it could be effective against someone who prefers to fight at range. Plus, Parker has decent power and could catch Usyk with something unexpected if the Ukrainian gets careless. Promoter Frank Warren seemed to hint that Parker might be next in line, saying “It’s Joe Parker’s time” after the Dubois fight.
At 38, Usyk probably doesn’t have many fights left in him. So whatever he chooses next will likely be one of his final performances. Boxing fans around the world will be watching closely to see which direction the undisputed champion decides to go.
(Image Credit: Jon Durr – Imagn Images)
mma I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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