REIGNING unified heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk, 23-0 (14 KOs), has established himself as one of the pound-for-pound greats in the postmillennial era of boxing, conquering both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions while maintaining an undefeated record.
Now, as the career of the legendary Ukrainian reaches its final chapter, 38-year-old Usyk has shunned retirement in favour of two additional fights, with a clear target in mind for his next outing.
Last May, Usyk scored a sensational split decision victory over Tyson Fury, 34-2-1 (24 KOs), to become the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion and just the second fighter to have held the undisputed title at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
In December, the slick southpaw went toe-to-toe with ‘The Gypsy King’ once again and scored a more dominant unanimous decision to further stamp his authority over the division and his superiority over Fury.
Yet, just seconds after that glorious triumph, IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, 22-2 (21 KOs), stormed into the ring to demand a rematch of his own with Usyk, intruding on Usyk’s deserved moment to possibly tee up a second battle for all four heavyweight marbles in as many years and a shot at avenging his August 2023 knockout defeat.
Speaking with Sky Sports, Usyk now appeared to have accepted that challenge, agreeing to fight the victor of Dubois’ upcoming title defence versus Joseph Parker, whilst revealing his belief that he still has two more fights left in the tank.
“I will fight who will win, Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem,” stated the Ukrainian.
“I think [I have] two years, one and a half [left in boxing],
“I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare [for], not more. Just two.”
Dubois-Parker takes place on Saturday, February 22, meaning any subsequent title unification against Usyk could take place as soon as this summer.
Although, the IBF appear likely to intervene and order their champion to face the winner of Martin Bakole’s, 21-1 (16 KOs), upcoming final eliminator against Efe Ajagba, 20-1 (14 KOs), delaying the Usyk fight until the end of the calendar unless a step-aside fee were to be agreed.
As for Usyk’s final professional contest, IBF cruiserweight world champion Jai Opetaia, 27-0 (21 KOs), and 20-year-old heavyweight phenomenon Moses Itauma, 11-0 (9KOs), are the names fans are beckoning for online, with both anticipated to explode onto the heavyweight scene in the near future.
