The two fighters first met in 2023, with Usyk coming out on top. Since then, Usyk became the undisputed champion by defeating Tyson Fury. However, he had to drop the IBF belt due to a rematch clause with Dubois. Dubois now holds that title after knocking out Anthony Joshua in five rounds.
The BBC confirmed the rematch announcement, setting the stage for another big heavyweight showdown.
Anthony Joshua, who lost twice to Usyk in the past, shared his thoughts on who should get the next title shot. In an interview with Box Nation, Joshua said:
"Do you want me to be completely honest with you? Parker deserves it more than me right now."
Joseph Parker, a former WBO Champion, has had a rough time lately. He almost fought Dubois for the IBF belt in February, but Dubois pulled out due to illness. Then, Parker was called as Usyk's mandatory challenger but missed both fights because of the Usyk-Dubois rematch deal.
Despite these setbacks, Parker's future looks promising. The WBO has him first in line for mandatory challengers, which means he'll get a guaranteed title shot. How that plays out depends on the outcome of the Usyk-Dubois rematch.
If Usyk wins, he might vacate his belts after one more fight. This could lead to Parker fighting for a vacant belt against another contender. On the other hand, if Dubois wins, he might have to defend against Parker right away. But if Dubois chooses a bigger name like Joshua or Fury, Parker could still end up fighting for a vacant belt.
The heavyweight division continues to heat up, with the Usyk-Dubois rematch setting the stage for more exciting fights to come.