Oleksandr Usyk wants to fight Daniel Dubois next. The Ukrainian boxer aims to become a two-time undisputed champion in the heavyweight division.
Usyk watched the recent Riyadh Season card from ringside. The event saw some big changes in the heavyweight landscape. Agit Kabayel won the WBC Interim Title with a body shot victory over Zhilei Zhang. This win puts Kabayel first in line for Usyk's WBC belt. In another surprise, Joseph Parker stopped Martin Bakole in two rounds to keep his WBO Interim belt. Parker stepped in at the last minute when Dubois got sick.
After the fights, Usyk told Boxing King Media:
"I want my next fight with Daniel Dubois. Undisputed. London, Riyadh, doesn't matter. I'm ready, bro."
But there's a catch. Dubois is still getting over the viral infection that kept him out of the Parker fight. No one knows when he'll be ready to fight again.
Some fans might want to see Parker and Dubois reschedule their fight. But Dubois doesn't have to do that. The Parker fight was a voluntary defense, and right now, Dubois doesn't have any mandatory challengers.
In May, Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba are set to fight in an IBF final eliminator. But with all the recent changes, this fight might not mean as much as it once did.
Usyk and Dubois have fought before. In 2023, Usyk won by stoppage. But the fight had some drama. Dubois' team said a shot that looked low was actually legal and could have ended the fight in their favor. The WBA looked into it and said the original decision was right.
Right now, Usyk holds the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts. Dubois has the IBF title. If they fight again, it'll be for all the marbles in the heavyweight division.
