On Saturday night, the masterful Oleksandr Usyk solidified his place as one of the greatest boxers of all time. He became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to achieve the rare feat of becoming undisputed champion on three separate occasions.

Usyk’s wizardry spellbound the 90,000 fans in attendance at Wembley Stadium as he effortlessly bewitched the unfledged Daniel Dubois.

At 38, he boasts an impressive resume, boasting an undefeated record against British fighters. This includes multiple victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and now Daniel Dubois. However, this begs the question: in a division lacking current credible opponents and on the verge of retirement, where does Usyk go from here?

Breaking Down Usyk’s Next Move: What Are His Real Options?

Joseph Parker is the obvious choice. On a six-fight win streak, he’s smashed through big names like Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole on late notice. Currently, he’s the mandatory challenger for the WBO title. He patiently waited for his turn when bigger money draws were taken ahead of him, and he rightly deserves a shot.

Tyson Fury, a boxer who has retired from the sport more times than I can count, has given Usyk his toughest test yet in the heavyweight division. While Fury is adamant on social media that he beat Usyk on both occasions, realistically, a third fight seems unnecessary. Many fight fans would prefer an all-British showdown against Anthony Joshua instead.

Agit Kabayel, the current WBC interim heavyweight champion, is undefeated with 18 knockouts from 26 fights. Currently ranked number four in the Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings, Kabayel is an intelligent and busy fighter who actively targets the body, a tactic Dubois exposed as a potential weakness in the first fight against Usyk.

Just behind Joseph Parker in the WBO rankings is Moses Itauma, a young heavyweight who is only 20 years old. At 12–0, he is already making significant strides in the division. His next opponent is Dillian Whyte on August 16, but if he manages another impressive victory, will Usyk soon be in his sights?

Dereck Chisora, who has announced his retirement after his 50th fight, defeated Otto Wallin in an IBF title eliminator in February. This victory made him the mandatory challenger to Dubois. However, since Dubois pursued an undisputed title fight against Oleksandr Usyk, Chisora’s stance in the pecking order remains uncertain.

Retirement is not out of the question for Usyk either. He has achieved everything in the sport, and could easily ride off into the sunset with his family, and I wouldn’t blame him one bit!

The Heavyweight Division’s Star Problem: Following the UFC’s Troubled Path?

Eight years ago, the heavyweight division was the pinnacle of the sport. Anthony Joshua had dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in a fight for the ages, Deontay Wilder was regarded as the most feared puncher in history, and Tyson Fury had completed life’s toughest comeback to return to the ring. The three fighters looked poised to dominate the sport for many years to come.

Fury and Wilder engaged in one of the most destructive trilogy’s we’ve seen, but Joshua suffered a shock defeat to Mexican Andy Ruiz, derailing a potential unification fight. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk dominated the cruiserweight division and quietly built his foundations at heavyweight.

Joshua retained his WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO belts and secured redemption against Ruiz, but the mandatory WBO challenger in Usyk was a fighter not to be overlooked. Usyk showcased his devastating endurance in both bouts against Joshua, effectively removing the British fighter from the heavyweight peaking order. Usyk’s dominance continued as he claimed victory in a controversial first fight against Daniel Dubois, and cemented his status as the division’s king with two hard-fought victories over Tyson Fury. Now, with a second victory over Dubois, we find ourselves at a crossroads moment in the heavyweight division.

We’re witnessing a similar trend in the UFC at the moment. Top stars like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Amanda Nunes have all retired or are nearing the end of their careers. Alongside rising costs, PPV sales are declining. UFC commentator Joe Rogan suggests that the decline in pay-per-view numbers is partly due to a decrease in casual viewership. High-level technique, charismatic personalities, and intense rivalries make the sport what it is, and without that competition, events lack the quality they once had.

Still Untouchable at 38: The Usyk Formula Explained

Oleksandr Usyk is renowned for his magic footwork and relentless work rate. As a southpaw, his presence often bewilders his opponents when they step into the ring. His mastery of angles makes him unpredictable and disorientating. Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis once described Usyk as a “bunny rabbit,” noting that while Usyk has a high ring IQ, he’s not a natural heavyweight but rather a “built-up heavyweight.” Usyk’s Cruisweight speed and attributes allow him to outmanoeuvre and outbox larger, traditionally built heavyweights, making him a formidable opponent for anyone.

Usyk is a humble and respectful professional who shows deference to all his rivals, making him a true role model. After his fight against Dubois, he was asked if he sees himself as an all-time great. His simple answer was a firm “No” with a shake of his head. During his open workouts, Usyk is often seen dancing in the ring, incorporating creative drills and exercises to enhance his movement and adaptability. This playful approach helps him overcome challenges and develop unconventional strategies in the ring.

We’re seeing a trend across all sports, not just combat sports, where athletes are remaining at the top level for longer. For example, Ronaldo is still playing professional competitive football at the age of 40, and Tom Brady was still slinging it in the NFL at age 45. Sports science knowledge is constantly evolving, with continuous updates on diet and recovery. The one-punch finish of Daniel Dubois on Saturday was nicknamed ‘Ivan’, and concluded possibly Usyk’s best performance at heavyweight, even at the age of 38.

Most importantly, Usyk is fighting for something bigger than the money — he is fighting for his country. The pain he endures while witnessing the atrocities in his homeland is something that very few of us will be able to comprehend. His ability to withhold the darkest emotions and channel them into art inside the ring is simply unprecedented.

So, what’s next for Oleksandr Usyk? The sport of boxing is at his feet right now, and he reigns supreme. He has defeated the best twice over, earning the right to choose his opponents. Joseph Parker makes the most sense, and in a perfect world, he deserves a homecoming fight against Derek Chisora as a joint retirement fight for both men.