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Oleksandr Usyk will fight in July or August 2025 to defend his unique heavyweight title. He defeated former WBC champion Tyson Fury by unanimous decision in 12 rounds in their rematch last Saturday night in Riyadh.
The fight was easier for Usyk than their previous match due to Fury choosing to bulk up to 281 lbs and being too heavy to do much in the fight.
Tyson looked inside poor physical shape as if he made a symbolic effort in the training camp preparing for the rematch. It was unpleasant to watch and must have been disappointing for his fans. You could tell from Fury’s midsection that he had been eating well during camp.
who’s next?
Usik’s manager Egis Klimas told Bookingscene that Oleksander (23-0, 14 KOs) will rest until next summer. No word on who Usyk might face next. These interesting options for Usik to make a voluntary defense:
– Agit Kabayel
– Moses Itauma
– Fabio Wardley
– Martin Bakole
British fans are talking It will hurt following his victory over journeyman Demsey McKean last Saturday night. If Itauma’s promoter believes in him, he should put his faith to the test by matching him against Usyk while he’s still in the game. If they wait, Usyk will retire and Itauma will fight without a name.
The timing could mean that a unification bout against IBF champion Daniel Dubois is not an option for Usyk’s next fight. Dubois defends his belt against Joseph Parker on February 22nd and it would be a quick turnaround for him to return to camp and start training for a bout against Usyk in July or August.
The 27-year-old Dubois is young enough to make a quick return to the ring, but he won’t be at his best as he will need time to prepare for Usik’s style. He can’t do that with a short training session.
If Dubois rushes into the fight against the talented Ukrainian, he could live to regret it and suffer another knockout loss like in their first fight last year on August 26 in Wroclaw, Poland. Usyk boxed Dubois through eight rounds, then poured him on in the ninth round to knock out the tired giant.
Like the first, it wasn’t a punishing fight for Usyk, as he outsmarted Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs), using his limited mobility to outsmart him with combinations.
He showed that Gypsy King has lost a lot of his game over the past four years, worn down in three fights against ‘Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder.
