WHATEVER Oleksandr Usyk does next, he has undeniably entered the final chapter of his already great career. He could easily walk away now, in the wake of his complete performance against Daniel Dubois recently, safe in the knowledge that he has nothing more to prove. But he has said he might fight twice more. If so, against whom could he make the most meaningful fights in the short time he has left?
JOSEPH PARKER
Parker is by far the most deserving challenger right now, as well as the most accomplished contender not already beaten by Usyk.
The New Zealander is a former WBO champion with a 36-3, 24 KOs record, and probably in his athletic prime at 33. He brings both pedigree and current form to the equation, beating three consecutive world-rated opponents in Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole, and having historically won over the likes of Carlos Takam, Andy Ruiz and Derek Chisora, twice.
Parker is not a bomber of the Dubois calibre, but he punches plenty hard enough and typically weighs around 245-250lbs. This size doesn’t impede his speed, but it does add to his durability. He’s only been stopped once, and then not until the 11th round, by an absolutely peak Joe Joyce.
While boxing politics have kept Parker waiting for his long-overdue title shot, it might turn out to be perfect timing for him. He’s in the form of his life, and Usyk is 38. Usyk, though, is both a man of honour and a proud competitor. He will know Parker is his most deserving opponent and will welcome the challenge. Expect Usyk vs Parker next.
AGIT KABAYEL
After Parker, Kabayel is the man with the next-best run of current form. Undefeated at 26-0, 18 KOs, Kabayel arrived on the world scene with a demolition of Arslanbek Makhmudov in December 2023 and followed that with knockouts of Frank Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang.
This three-fight run is not quite up there with Parker’s but it has shown Kabayel’s versatility in beating a range of styles, each demonstrating his ring intelligence, mental tenacity and physical prowess.
He took the fight right to the huge-punching Makhmudov and Zhang, and dissected the stylist Sanchez. Kabayel is at his peak at 32 and brimming with confidence.
Importantly, Kabayel is a Riyadh Season regular, and when you have Turki Alalshikh on your side, good things tend to happen.
TYSON FURY 3
While Usyk is 2-0 up in their series, both fights were good enough and close enough that a third instalment would still have merit.
Fury has been vocal in his insistence that he was “robbed” both times, and while not many fans would fully agree, few would have complained if either decision had gone his way.
Usyk, though, will consider the rivalry closed. There are other options available to him that would prove more. But then again, there are a few that would earn him more. If Alalshikh feels there is more mileage to be had in Usyk-Fury, he might well stump up enough cash to tempt Usyk to sign on for round 25.
DEONTAY WILDER
Wilder is the biggest contemporary name not yet on Usyk’s record. It would appear the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is well past his best at 39, but he remains the heavyweight division’s biggest puncher. There’s no doubt a fight between him and Usyk would sell, especially in America.
But Wilder will need to show improved form first. His comeback fight, in June against the moderate Tyrrell Herndon, was all set up for him to look good, and he didn’t.
But that might be written off as a rust-shedding exercise, and one that will be easily forgotten if Wilder can put together some fast, spectacular KOs again.
Wilder definitely won’t be next for Usyk, but don’t write him off as an option for a cash-grab type farewell fight.
BAKHODIR JALOLOV
Olympic champ vs Olympic champ, undefeated vs undefeated, and the veteran incumbent champion against a fearsome rising contender. While Jalolov might not yet have major mainstream fame, there are a lot of selling points to this match.
Give it another year for Jalolov (15-0, 14 KOs) to gain more experience, add to his highlight reel and burnish his reputation further, and this could be an intriguing swansong for Usyk.
MOSES ITAUMA
This is the man getting all the “next great heavyweight” headlines – even more so than Jalolov.
Itauma is a man in a hurry. At just 20 years and seven months old, he is ranked in the top 10 by all four major sanctioning bodies. If there had been a more vulnerable-looking champion, Itauma might have actually attempted his much-vaunted ambition to break Mike Tyson’s record as youngest heavyweight titleholder. As it is, he could still become the next-youngest – and there would be plenty of interest in seeing him try against Usyk.
But it’s hard to see Itauma’s promoter, Frank Warren – a man famed for making the right fights at the right time – putting his bright young thing in with Usyk anytime soon. More likely, he will seek to wait until Usyk’s eventual retirement so that Itauma can vie for a vacant belt.
KUBRAT PULEV
If you believe the WBA (please don’t), Usyk is not even the undisputed champion of their own organisation. They classify Usyk as their “super” champion, which allowed Pulev an opportunity to win their oxymoronic “regular” championship from mighty Mahmoud Charr last December.
Pulev is not the champion of any sane world, but if Usyk is offended by the sight of any man beside himself carrying a recognised belt, he’ll have to relieve 44-year-old Pulev of his.
But not even Usyk’s pedantic approach to belt-collecting could justify this. And even if he did “unify” the WBA, it would only be a matter of time before they found a way to split their own title again and mandate Charr vs Trevor Bryan or Jonathan Guidry vs Fres Oquendo for the “heavyweight championship of the world”.
OTHER OPTIONS
Fabio Wardley’s ever-present chance of a one-punch finish as he gets his ears boxed off in a football stadium? A rematch with Derek Chisora, who, don’t forget, gave Usyk one of his hardest fights? An attempt by Jai Opetaia to replicate Usyk’s move from cruiserweight world champion to heavyweight?
A “real-life Rocky” storyline involving Dave Allen? The winner of Filip Hrgovic vs David Adeleye? Or, dare we say it, ending the Jake Paul charade once and for all?
There will always be more people to fight, and more reasons to fight on. Let’s just hope Usyk times his exit right.
