Oleksandr Usyk has several options ahead of him for his next fight.
The heavyweight king was last in action in December when he defeated Tyson Fury in their rematch to retain his WBC, WBA and WBO titles, seven months on from also winning their first meeting to become undisputed champion.
He subsequently vacated the IBF title, which is now in the possession of Daniel Dubois, with it appearing that Usyk and Dubois would now meet next in an undisputed battle.
A curveball was thrown out earlier this month though, when the WBO ordered the Ukrainian to defend against mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, following Parker’s win against Martin Bakole last month.
Parker had initially been scheduled to face Dubois himself in February, before illness on fight week forced the Brit out of the bout, leading to Bakole stepping in as a late replacement.
It has left Usyk with two different options for his next fight, but Team Usyk’s Sergey Lapin told OLBG that the Ukrainian is still only currently interested in facing Dubois next.
“Oleksandr Usyk wants to make his next fight against Daniel Dubois. Dubois is our priority, because he has the belt.
“We are waiting for the date of the fight with Dubois, we assume it will take place in Riyadh or London, one of the world capitals of boxing and Usyk will once again prove that he is the best fighter of our generation.”
Usyk would be looking to become two-time undisputed champion with a win over Dubois, several years on from their first meeting which ended in a ninth round stoppage win for the Ukrainian.
It wasn’t without its controversy though, as Dubois dropped Usyk in round five with what he thought was a legitimate body shot, only for it to be ruled as a low blow.
With the Ukrainian setting his sights on Dubois, Parker may have to wait for his shot at world honours, but his team insist they will do everything in their power to make the fight happen.
