Looking at Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight options after medical exemption

On July 19, Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) reaffirmed his superiority  in the heavyweight division by stopping Daniel Dubois (22-3, 21 KOs) in the fifth round. 

Immediately after that dominant win, attention quickly turned to what would be next for Usyk. WBO mandatory Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) was tipped to be next, but an injury to Usyk led to the WBO granting a medical exemption of 90 days. With this delay, we look at who could be next for the mercurial Ukrainian.

Oleksandr Usyk’s unique place in boxing

Usyk’s journey is not just about the belts he has collected but the manner in which he has done it. Few fighters transition successfully from cruiserweight to heavyweight. Usyk has managed to maintain his speed, footwork, and general boxing intelligence against naturally bigger men. 

His resume is filled with elite names, and the two victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois confirmed his adaptability and calmness under pressure.

At 38 years old, Usyk is also defying the usual ageing trend of fighters. While most heavyweights slow down in their mid-thirties, his dedication to conditioning has kept him sharp. 

The intrigue now is whether he chooses to hunt more legacy fights or retire at the pinnacle of heavyweight boxing.

WBO mandatory – Oleksandr Usyk vs Joseph Parker

The man in pole position to face Usyk is Joseph Parker. The New Zealand fighter has enjoyed a phenomenal renaissance, winning his last six fights, since losing to Joe Joyce.

No disrespect to Parker, but it remains to be seen if that’s a big enough fight to tempt Usyk to defend all his belts. There’s no doubting Parker deserves the shot, and his ability is undeniable.

Despite being in pole position, Parker refuses to wait and see and has agreed to face the heavy-handed, unbeaten Brit Fabio Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs). The winner of that fight will be first in line to face Usyk, should the Ukrainian want to keep his titles.

A trilogy fight with Tyson Fury

Should Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) return, he has made it clear he wants to face Usyk, believing he won their two fights, even though many felt the judges’ decisions were correct.

Both bouts were competitive throughout, but Usyk’s class shone through on each occasion. The Ukrainian has never dismissed the possibility of a third fight with “The Gypsy King.” Do we need to see it? I’m not so sure, but many will tune in to see if Fury can finally get one over Usyk.

Legacy versus money

At this stage in his career, Usyk has little left to prove. He has conquered cruiserweight, unified heavyweight, and defeated the biggest names of his era. The decision now lies between taking the most lucrative bouts available or sailing off into the sunset undefeated.

Betting enthusiasts often look at these factors when predicting a fighter’s next move, and a second Fury fight makes sense financially and historically. 

A trilogy with Fury would attract attention, as would Usyk against anyone. The most likely option appears to be the winner of Parker vs Wardley.

These possibilities add drama to an already thrilling heavyweight division for all boxing fans. Just like spinning the reels in mobile slots, predicting Usyk’s next opponent carries a mix of skill, speculation, and a bit of luck. Everyone has their own view of what is most likely, but nothing is certain until the contracts are signed.

Oleksandr Usyk – final thoughts

The heavyweight division has rarely been this exciting, and Oleksandr Usyk sits at the very centre of it all. Whether he rematches Fury, fights the winner of Parker vs Wardley, or goes in a completely different direction.

Whatever Oleksandr Usyk decides, his choice will be intriguing for bettors, analysts, and fans alike. What we can say for certain is that Usyk’s next move will shape the future of the heavyweight division for years to come. Until then, speculation continues, and anticipation builds for one of boxing’s modern masters.