Ukrainian superstar Oleksandr Usyk shocked the boxing world on Friday afternoon when he announced that he would be vacating all of his world heavyweight championships with immediate effect.
The undefeated 39-year-old, who held the WBA 'super', WBC and IBF belts, took to social media to inform fans of his decision. Usyk was most recently seen in the ring last month, when he defeated Dutch kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in controversial fashion.
Explaining why he had decided to give up his gold, Usyk spoke of his desire to give opportunities to other fighters in the division. He also confirmed that he would have at least one more fight, referring to the next stage of his career as "my last dance".
"I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold to make them available for the guys next in line to fight for them," he stated. "Friends, I'm leaving the belts, but not the sport because I still have my last dance."
The Motivation Behind Usyk's Decision to Ditch His Gold Has Been Explained
While Usyk's intentions may appear noble, Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn, who has promoted several of the legendary fighter's bouts, has shared the 'real reason' behind the decision.
In an interview with Seconds Out in the wake of the announcement, Hearn suggested that Usyk parting company with his gold was motivated by his desire to have more control over his own schedule.
Breaking down the demands on Usyk as a unified champion, Hearn stated:
"When you're the unified champion and you haven't faced one mandatory [challenger], it's a little bit easier to vacate all the belts than to answer the questions. He [Usyk] is probably in a position where he is like: 'I've done so much in the sport, I don't want to be told who I've got to fight! I want to fight when I want to fight!'"
Usyk's surprising announcement comes just days before a deadline by which he needed to agree a deal to fight the WBC's top-ranked contender, Agit Kabayel. As a result, that fight is now almost certain never to happen, with the unbeaten German likely to be promoted to full champion by the governing body shortly.
Oleksandr Usyk Wins His Final Fight 'Comfortably'
Hearn then went on to reveal the fight that he would advise Usyk to take in what will seemingly be his farewell bout.
"If he's gonna rematch Rico [Verhoeven], which if I was managing Usyk, I would be telling him to do, that's his last fight anyway.
"Why would he fight Kabayel and defend the titles? It's a very tough fight. I think financially you can make more money fighting Rico. There's a bit of controversy there. A few unanswered questions.
"I think he wins very comfortably in the second fight. They could do something special in Amsterdam, which would be iconic. He's done, isn't he? This is him saying: 'One more and thank you boxing'."
Usyk has yet to make any announcement regarding who he may face in his final bout, but it's easy to see why settling the score with Rico may appeal to him before he finally calls time on his legendary career.
Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk throws a flurry of punches at Netherlands' Rico Verhoeven forcing the referee to stop the bout. AFP
Ukraine's unbeaten heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk stopped Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the penultimate round of a WBC title fight on Saturday after an unexpectedly difficult night's work.
The 'Glory in Giza' fight at the Pyramids of Egypt was considered a mismatch, but Verhoeven, whose sole previous professional boxing fight was 12 years ago, tore up the script from the opening bell.
It took until the fourth for Usyk to have a round that was clearly his, but the champion was unable to capitalise on it with the bigger and heavier Verhoeven still taking the fight to him.
With Usyk tipping the scales heavier than ever before, and looking strangely lethargic, the 39-year-old Ukrainian went into the penultimate round needing to pull something out of the bag to be certain of a win most had taken for granted.
Scorecards published by The Ring magazine afterwards showed two of the three judges had the fight tied 95-95 going into the 11th and the other had Verhoeven ahead 96-94.
'It was an early stoppage'
The decisive moment came right at the end, with Usyk dropping Verhoeven with a right uppercut and the Dutchman beating the 10 count but not the referee, who stepped in to wave off further punishment.
“I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end it's not up to me,” Verhoeven, 37, told Dazn. “The referee knows that we are almost at the end of the round, so or let me go out on my shield or let the bell go.
“But you know … I was already super thankful for the opportunity as well,” he added, pitching for a rematch.
Verhoeven was fighting only for the WBC belt, with Usyk risking also the loss of his WBA and IBF ones, which would have been declared vacant titles had he been beaten. In the end, he extended his record to 25 unbeaten fights and retained all three titles.
“This fight was hard. It was a good fight. I was just boxing, my right uppercut, bang. Bang, bang, bang. Thank you, God,” said Usyk.
“Right now, in Ukraine, my people and my country – there is bombing. My people are sitting in bomb shelters. My family. My daughter sent me a message: ‘Papa, I love you, you win. I’m afraid'. I said, 'Oh my God'.”
Verhoeven did his ring walk in the open-air arena as a pharaoh, flanked by others holding flaming torches with the Pyramids illuminated behind them.
Usyk adopted a more gladiatorial look, wearing a golden helmet and the outfit of a Roman centurion, as an array of fireworks lit up the night sky. But the fight was one of his toughest, and he struggled to deal with an awkward opponent who hit hard and showed few signs of crumbling.
First signs of slippage or an off night?
It begs the question, is this the start of a decline or just a poor performance in strange circumstances? Usyk is not getting any younger but looked incredible when flattening Daniel Dubois in five rounds last July, so more evidence is required to categorically say he is on the slide.
Inactivity is certainly not helping him. He flirted with hiring new promoters and campaigning in the US before making another deal with Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia in nearly a full year away from the ring.
Then there is the weight. Usyk was slower on his feet having come in at a career heaviest to deal with the giant Verhoeven. Usyk came up from cruiserweight and has always been at his best when able to use his elite footwork to its maximum.
Verhoeven did his ring walk in the open-air arena as a pharaoh, flanked by others holding flaming torches with the Pyramids illuminated behind them.
Usyk adopted a more gladiatorial look, wearing a golden helmet and the outfit of a Roman centurion, as an array of fireworks lit up the night sky. But the fight was one of his toughest, and he struggled to deal with an awkward opponent who hit hard and showed few signs of crumbling.
First signs of slippage or an off night?
It begs the question, is this the start of a decline or just a poor performance in strange circumstances? Usyk is not getting any younger but looked incredible when flattening Daniel Dubois in five rounds last July, so more evidence is required to categorically say he is on the slide.
Inactivity is certainly not helping him. He flirted with hiring new promoters and campaigning in the US before making another deal with Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia in nearly a full year away from the ring.
Then there is the weight. Usyk was slower on his feet having come in at a career heaviest to deal with the giant Verhoeven. Usyk came up from cruiserweight and has always been at his best when able to use his elite footwork to its maximum.
General view of the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza. Reuters
Also, we've seen before that these gimmick fights can be banana skins. Usyk would not have known what to expect from Verhoeven nor would he have perceived much of a threat, so suddenly when the fight is tougher than expected, it is hard to adjust.
Another factor was that Daniel Lapin, the younger brother of Usyk's best friend Sergey and training partner, was knocked out by Benjamin Mendes Tani in a big upset right before Usyk was due to the box.
But, while far from his best, Usyk still got the stoppage, and again showed his ability to come on strong late in fights. The Ukranian is often a slow starter who builds momentum. As for the stoppage? Early, yes, and also unnecessary right on the bell. That said, Verhoeven was in big trouble after the uppercut and had already spat out his gumshield to buy time. He might have struggled to see out the 12th but did deserve the opportunity to try.
Usyk would do well to avoid another long bout of inactivity and get back to boxing his heavyweight rivals.
Kabayel next in Istanbul or Germany
After his win, Usyk was confronted by the German-Kurdish fighter Agit Kabayel, the WBC's number one contender, and a man who has been waiting an age for a shot at the title.
Despite Verhoeven's calls for a rematch, it is very likely we see Usyk-Kabayel next. The Dutchman's overperformance on one night should not see him jump the queue ahead of Kabayel whose 15-year career has led him to this point.
Alalshikh, who orchestrated Saturday's event at the Pyramids has previously staged a card in Times Square, and suggested last week they could do the fight in front of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. “Better a stadium in Germany,” was Kabayel's response.
As for Verhoeven, this might have been his best chance to do something spectacular in boxing. We saw MMA star Francis Ngannou give Tyson Fury fits on his boxing debut before being obliterated by Anthony Joshua next time out. Verhoeven plans to box again, and this showing should earn him another decent opportunity.
The referee did not think Verhoeven was saved by the bell.
The referee steps in to stop the Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven fight in Egypt. | Photo by Mohamed Hossam/Getty Images
Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven faced off on Saturday in Egypt in front of the pyramids of Giza. Usyk, the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion, took on Verhoeven, a kickboxer by trade, in a match that was pure spectacle and the result confirmed it.
While Verhoeven was only taking part in his second career boxing match against Usyk, who came into the bout a perfect 24-0 in his career, the result was very much up in the air as the fighters headed into the later rounds. Or at least that's why many people had observed before a controversial stoppage ended the fight after 11 rounds. And then the scorecards only raised more questions.
First, let's take a look at the final moments of the fight when referee Mark Lyson waved off the fight after the bell. As you can see, Usyk was hitting Verhoeven as the bell rang and kept going and that's when the referee stepped in. The official result goes down as a TKO with one second left in the 11th round.
What made the stoppage look even worse was the fact that Verhoeven was very much in the fight on the official scorecards. Two judges had the fight even and Verhoeven was up on the third card. Usyk was approximately three minutes away taking the first blemish on his boxing record by way of a decision loss or maybe a draw.
Here are the scorecards for Usyk x Rico after 10 rounds.
Who knows what would have happened if the referee hadn't stepped in.
Verhoeven came into this fight with one boxing match on his résumé which took place back in 2014. The silver lining for Verhoeven here, besides holding his own against the heavyweight champion, is that he couldn't have won any of Usyk's belts anyway. So now he's 66-10 as a kickboxing champion and he's made a name for himself as a boxer.
Francis Ngannou Reacts
Francis Ngannou, who is coming off a first round knock out victory on last weekend's Ronda Rousey-Gina Carano card, commiserated with Verhoeven on social media saying, "Outsiders will never win, trust me I know, but Rico was the winner tonight. Period."
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, had boxing matches against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury over the last few years. While he was knocked out by Joshua, he went the distance with Fury, who was the WBC champion at the time and lost by split decision. After beating Ngannou, Fury went on to lose back-to-back fights to Usyk. Those were the first and second losses of Fury's career.
Usyk and Verhoeven Ring Walk
While the fight had a controversial finish, that shouldn't take away from how cool a scene it was in Egypt on Saturday in front of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. They made sure to use the pyramids in their ring walks and it was undeinably awesome-looking
.A number of boxers including Canelo Álvarez, Terrence Crawford, Anthony Joshua, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney were all in attendance for the fight. As was Jason Statham and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. You really might see a celebrity anywhere this weekend.
Current heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk takes on kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven
Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven will meet in an iconic cross-combat clash on Saturday(Image: Getty)
What time does Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven start?
Date and historic venue: The highly anticipated bout between the unified heavyweight king and the kickboxing icon will take place on Saturday, May 23, in front of the ancient Pyramids of Giza. Dubbed the ‘Glory in Giza,’ the event brings the pinnacle of modern combat sports to one of the most iconic ancient wonders of the world.
Championship stakes and titles: Oleksandr Usyk enters the ring as the current WBA, IBF and WBC heavyweight champion, looking to continue his undefeated status against an unconventional but dangerous challenger. The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds under traditional professional boxing rules, with Verhoeven hoping to snatch Usyk's WBC belt.
UK broadcast start time: British fight fans looking to take in all the action can tune into the live broadcast starting at 6pm BST. The early evening start ensures British boxing aficionados can enjoy a full night of international competition leading up to the seismic main event against the stunning Egyptian backdrop.
Approximate ring walk: The headline fight featuring Usyk and Verhoeven is expected to see the fighters make their ring walks at around 10.45pm BST. While the specific timing may change slightly depending on the duration of the undercard bouts, organisers have selected this late-night slot to maximise global viewership and provide an unforgettable atmosphere at the Pyramids.
UK viewing platforms and cost: The whole event will be aired exclusively in the United Kingdom through DAZN Pay-Per-View, meaning fans will have to buy the event digitally on the DAZN app or website via the link at the bottom of this page. The pay-per-view price for this fascinating card has been set at £27.99, though some DAZN Ultimate Tier subscribers may find the event included or discounted as part of their premium membership package.
Rico Verhoeven’s combat pedigree: Verhoeven is making a risky jump to boxing after a legendary run in GLORY Kickboxing, where he defended his heavyweight title for an incredible 11 straight years. Known to combat sports fans as the 'King of Kickboxing,' the Dutchman is famous for his immense cardio and technical precision, though he faces a monumental challenge trying to out-box one of the slickest technicians in heavyweight history.
Key undercard matchups: Before the main event starts, the card delivers serious quality, including a super-middleweight clash between Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic for the vacant WBO title. With top-tier names like Jack Catterall and Frank Sanchez also expected to feature on the undercard, it is a stacked lineup that easily makes the pay-per-view price tag worth it.
Usyk’s career trajectory: This fight is rumoured to be the first leg of a three-fight retirement tour for the 39-year-old Ukrainian, who has already cleared out the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions with an undefeated record. Having recently beaten Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois to cement his legacy, Usyk sees this crossover challenge as a way to further expand his global brand while maintaining his status as the pound-for-pound king.
Respected boxing trainer Robert Garcia believes David Benavidez could eventually defeat Oleksandr Usyk if the two fighters meet in the coming years.
Benavidez has continued receiving major praise following his successful move up to cruiserweight, where he defeated Gilberto Ramirez to capture WBA and WBO world titles on May 2 at T-Mobile Arena and strengthen his reputation as one of boxing’s elite fighters.
The victory has already sparked discussions about how far Benavidez could go in higher weight divisions, including the possibility of eventually moving up to heavyweight.
Garcia pointed specifically toward Usyk’s age as one of the major reasons he believes the matchup could eventually favor Benavidez.
“Usyk is nearly 40 already,” Garcia explained.
“So imagine two years from now, Benavidez beats him.”
Benavidez’s recent performances have significantly increased conversations surrounding his long-term future in heavier divisions.
Still unbeaten, the American star has already established himself across multiple weight classes. He became the first boxer to hold major titles at 168, 175, and 200 pounds.
What’s next for Benavidez and Usyk?
Agit Kabayel remains Usyk’s mandatory challenger, with the undefeated heavyweight reportedly expected to receive a world title opportunity later this year.
Before retirement, Usyk has already outlined a potential three-fight plan that includes a showdown against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, followed by a mandatory defense against Kabayel and a possible trilogy fight against Tyson Fury.
Recently, Fury responded to Oleksandr Usyk’s calls for a trilogy fight and admitted that he is interested in running it back for a third time. However, Fury also stated that his main focus right now is his reportedly signed showdown against Anthony Joshua later this year.
As for Benavidez, the unbeaten American appears more focused on other major opportunities in the near future. The cruiserweight champion has shown a strong interest in moving back down to 175 pounds for a potential clash against Dmitry Bivol or a catchweight bout. Benavidez has also continued expressing interest in long-discussed fights against Canelo Alvarez and Jai Opetaia.
A fight between Benavidez and Usyk remains purely hypothetical for now, but Turki Alalshikh seems interested in making this fight a reality, as he expressed on his X account, his desire to see them go head-to-head in the ring.
Meanwhile, Garcia’s comments add to the growing speculation surrounding how Benavidez’s career could evolve over the next few years.
Andy Ruiz Jr. shared details from a recent interview about stalled talks for a fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The former unified heavyweight champion said Usyk’s team reached out before the Rico Verhoeven matchup got set. He knows Usyk’s manager from sparring days at Freddie Roach’s gym.
Ruiz Spills: Usyk Ditched Me For Kickboxer Verhoeven Showdown
In an interview with casino.org/us, Andy Ruiz Jr. explained how the Usyk fight slipped out of his fingers in favor of Verhoeven. He said:
“So before that fight was organised, they messaged me and asked me if I would like to fight Usyk in the United States – I know his manager from when I was younger at Freddie Roach’s gym because I used to spar with all of the heavyweights when I was a little kid.”
Ruiz figured better money pulled Usyk to Egypt for the kickboxer. The May 23 clash at the Pyramids of Giza puts Usyk’s WBC and lineal titles on the line against Verhoeven, who has two pro boxing rounds under his belt after a 60-10 kickboxing run.
Usyk, undefeated in 24 pro bouts, holds Olympic gold and two undisputed heavyweight reigns. He last fought in a knockout win over Dubois last summer. Verhoeven, “King of Kickboxing,” retains power from fights like his shutout of Ismael Lazaar and Badt Hari with jabs and range control.
Andy Ruiz Jr Reveals Failed Oleksandr Usyk Talks Ahead Of Rico Verhoeven Fight
Ruiz picks Usyk but flags Verhoeven’s bag work and clips as real. He ties the edge to experience and Usyk’s style edge without kickboxing legs in play.
“Usyk should win. He’s an experienced fighter. He’s the champion. He’s the undisputed heavyweight champion. But I heard a lot of people saying for him to be careful against Verhoeven. He’s no joke. I’ve seen a few little videos of him hitting the bag and some fights, but I think Usyk beats him, especially if he’s not using his legs.”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 3: Andy Ruiz jr ( black with white shorts) and Jarrell Miller (Blue with whites shorts) during their Heavyweight Contest at BMO Stadium on August 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)
Ruiz eyes a future clash as a money draw with Mexican-Ukrainian-American appeal. He sees a technical start turning to body shots. His forward speed could test Usyk early.
“At first, it would be a technical fight to get our distance and assess the countering, but I think I would stop him. I would stop him in the body because he doesn’t like getting hit in the body.”
Ruiz plans tune-ups this year, targeting an elite December foe to prove he’s current. Usyk chose his path as undisputed king.
The Ukrainian has been enjoying the last few months with his family, but has recently been spotted training ahead of a return to the ring this year
Oleksandr Usyk could fight Deontay Wilder this year(Image: )
Oleksandr Usyk's comeback fight could take place in front of a record 150,000 fans.
The 38-year-old has not fought since his destructive fifth round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in July at Wembley Stadium. Ahead of his clash with the Brit, the Ukrainian hinted that 2026 could be his last year as a professional boxer. However, just a few months removed from his win over 'Triple D,' Usyk made a stunning revelation that he intends to retire at the age of 41.
"I train every day. Yesterday morning I arrived and immediately went to the training hall. I train with the goal of entering the ring next year and, with God's help, winning," he said. He added: "I will box until I am 41. And then I will build a Sports Academy and train there, and I will train there."
Usyk was seemingly due to fight Ipswich star Fabio Wardley next after the latter scored a brutal knockout win over Joseph Parker back in October. But the 38-year-old stunned fans after he gave up his WBO title just days after Wardley's triumph in London. Usyk is now expected to return to the ring this year and is eyeing up a fight with Deontay Wilder, as he looks to wipe out a generation of heavyweight superstars.
The two-time undisputed heavyweight champion has already defeated Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice, and is now hoping to add 'The Bronze Bomber' to his CV with San Francisco planning to stage a world-record boxing event. The largest crowd for a boxing event is 135,132 and was set back in August 1941 when Tony Zale fought Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
YouTube is spearheading plans for a boxing show that could set a new record crowd of nearly 150,000 fans. The project, which will be formally announced today, will form part of the ‘Iconic’ series, set to include a wide range of events throughout the year from IVisit Boxing.
The promoters are pushing for Usyk to be involved - despite the fight card not being finalised yet. Organisers are expected to turn San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza into an 'open-air boxing arena,' with the ring constructed in front of the City Hall. Much to the delight of fans, the vast majority of tickets are set to be available at no cost.
IVB chief Ed Pereira told the Mail: “We are open to working with all promoters, managers, content creators and fighters, so of course we’d be open to speaking to boxer of that calibre, who wouldn’t want Usyk on their card? It’s going to be more than just a fight. What attracted us to YouTube, and YouTube to us, was that commitment to cultural moments.
“It’s all about creating a cultural moment – a cultural moment in the city of San Francisco, a cultural moment in California, and a cultural moment for the world. Anybody can go and put a show on and just produce it live on their own YouTube channel… but we are doing exactly the same as what the NFL did.
“This partnership with YouTube puts us in the next league. Boxing fans want to see the biggest fights and they want to see the biggest fights on the biggest stages. But, ultimately, I want to make it accessible to the casual fan… and everyone has YouTube on their phones.”
Oleksandr Usyk may soon find himself walking the red carpet at the Oscars following the strong critical acclaim for his new film, The Smashing Machine.
Usyk starred alongside Dwyanye Johnson, who played former MMA fighter Mark Kerr, in his film debut. Emily Blunt also co-starred as Kerr’s wife, as the movie was well received at the Venice Film Festival. Johnson is being tipped for an Oscar nomination, while Usyk could be invited after playing Ukrainian fighter Igor Vovchanchyn. The film is set to open in cinemas worldwide on October 3.
“Johnson gives a performance of immense pathos, intensity and depth – one that looks bound to win him awards recognition,” Geoffrey Macnab said
It has been a remarkable period for Usyk of late. He stopped Daniel Dubois in July to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. It was the second time he had achieved this at the weight class. However, his next fight is uncertain after he received a 90-day extension by the WBO to negotiate his mandatory title defense against Joseph Parker. The extension was requested due to a back injury. But outside of boxing, Usyk has plenty to keep himself occupied as he admitted that his current reason for boxing is just discipline.
“I don’t have motivation. I have discipline. This is why I am champion. I believe this with all my heart. It carries me through the ring, through life, through every challenge. “This is why I stand. Carry this with you,” Usyk said
Undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has warned Jake Paul he would be “waiting in the cage” if the YouTuber-turned-boxer had the courage to face him once the Ukrainian eventually retires from the ring.
Paul – who beat former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on points in an eight-round bout late last year before defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June – is set to take on reigning WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match in November, which will be broadcast on Netflix.
The 28-year-old influencer recently took to social media to outline his wide-ranging future plans – which included becoming a boxing world champion and beating Usyk as well as winning an Oscar, to “fight on the moon” and starting a presidential campaign.
After Usyk defeated Britain’s Daniel Dubois for a second time when they met at Wembley in July, he faced off with Paul in the ring.
The 38-year-old gave Paul short shrift, though, in response to the American’s latest ambitious five-year plan.
“Good plan, Jake Paul, but I’m not here for 5th place – only first,” Usyk wrote on X.
“Soon, I’ll close the book on boxing, and after that, I’ll be waiting for you in the cage. Let’s see if you’ve got the balls or just a hunger for hype.”
Usyk – who continues to recover from a back problem – is expected to fight Joseph Parker and Britain’s Fabio Wardley, the pair set to meet on October 25 at London’s O2 Arena, in his next title defence.
After his response to Paul, the Ukrainian later posted a video of him training to highlight his own dedication to boxing.
“I don’t have motivation. I have discipline,” Usyk said. “This is why I am champion. I believe this with all my heart. It carries me through the ring, through life, through every challenge.
Oleksandr Usyk will face Daniel Dubois in a rematch. (Photo: instagram.com/usykaa)
Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk (23–0, 14 KOs), who currently holds the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBO heavyweight titles, is set to face off once again against IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois (22–2, 21 KOs) in a high-stakes rematch.
Usyk is actively training for the July 19 bout, which will determine the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
A new video circulating online shows Usyk in top form, sharpening his punches and drilling speed and technique in preparation for the highly anticipated fight.
Their first clash took place on Aug. 26, 2023, in Wroclaw, Poland. In the fifth round, Dubois landed a controversial low blow that was ruled illegal. The referee paused the fight to give Usyk time to recover, and the Ukrainian boxer ultimately secured a technical knockout victory in the ninth round.
Dubois has since promised a “surprise” for the rematch, fueling speculation about his strategy going into what could be a career-defining fight.
Oleksandr Usyk‘s next move is currently being decided.
The Ukrainian became undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time in July when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium to add his IBF belt to his WBC, WBA and WBO titles.
While that bout may have only taken place a month ago, attention immediately turned to who Usyk will face next, with the WBO ordering him to defend against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.
Parker earned that right with victories over Martin Bakole, Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder over the past 18 months, becoming interim WBO heavyweight champion in the process.
The two camps were given 30 days to negotiate before it went to purse bids, but Usyk has requested more time, citing the need to recover from injuries.
With no decision reached yet, and Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh declaring he doesn’t want the Parker fight next, fans have begun to speculate that Usyk may choose to vacate the WBO belt and instead take on another fighter, with the likes of Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma mentioned as possible opponents.
Usyk’s Team Director Sergey Lapin has now provided an update, telling Boxing King Media that Parker still currently appears to be the frontrunner for the fight.
“We have the WBO belt, his first belt. We have rules. We need to speak with the team and next opponent is Parker. Is this fight not Saudi? We’ll see where we do it and the next step.”
Usyk’s first world title was the WBO cruiserweight belt in September 2016, before going on to become undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
It means the Ukrainian may have some loyalty towards the governing body, but it wouldn’t be the first time that he has lost his undisputed status by vacating a belt, after doing so with the IBF title in 2024.Toby Morgan
Jake Paul and Oleksandr Usyk had an unexpected face-off following the Ukrainian’s win over Daniel Dubois.
Usyk once again became undisputed heavyweight champion by claiming a dominant fifth round knockout win over Dubois, reclaiming the IBF belt in the process and adding it to his WBC, WBA and WBO titles to cement his status as the best heavyweight on the planet.
Attention has already turned to who Usyk may take on next following the win, and despite most people expecting the likes of Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker to be linked, YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul has thrown his name into the ring.
Paul was last in action in June when he defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a cruiserweight bout, and has also been linked to a heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua in recent weeks.
It seems that Paul could now be targeting a shock battle with Usyk though, after facing off with the Ukrainian and posting a message on social media outlining his one condition for the potential match-up.
“Congrats to one of the greatest heavyweights of all time Usyk on a huge win. I respect you a lot. Now we do an MMA match for the world.”
Whilst team Usyk also agree that a boxing match could ‘never’ happen, they do agree that a bout inside the Octagon would be ‘perfect’.
“Well Jake Paul, you know, when it comes to Jake Paul we’re not talking about the boxing because we would be probably put in the jail for murder … we all understand we can’t put Jake Paul and Oleksandr in the ring for boxing, there is no way, and Oleksandr will never do that, but of course because Jake Paul was a wrestler and what I heard he was a good wrestler when he was growing up, he knows how to wrestle, he knows how to fight a little bit. I think MMA would be the perfect thing to do.”
While Paul may have become one of the biggest names in the sport, a fight with Usyk is likely not one that many fight fans would want to see next, but as has been proven in combats sports for a number of years, anything can certainly happen.
