Oleksandr Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley Stadium in London. The Ukrainian fighter reclaimed his status as undisputed heavyweight champion with this victory.
Usyk's win adds the IBF belt to his collection, making him a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion. He's now held all four major titles in both the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions, a rare feat in boxing.
The fight didn't last long, with Usyk finishing Dubois in just five rounds. This quick victory has sparked discussions about who Usyk might face next.
Several potential opponents are in the mix. These include Derek Chisora, Tyson Fury, and Agit Kabayel. Some fans are even suggesting Usyk might consider retirement. However, the name that's getting the most attention is Joseph Parker.
Parker, the current WBO mandatory challenger, has been on a roll lately. He's racked up impressive wins against top fighters like Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, and Martin Bakole. Parker held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 and is eager to get back to the top of the division.
After watching Usyk's performance, Parker shared his thoughts in an interview:
"I'm not stunned I know that. He broke him down, he was patient. Daniel Dubois for me looked better, he landed some good shots in the beginning and was going back and forth and got Usyk's attention, but Usyk was patient. Faints, movement, footwork, it all came together for him"
Parker praised Usyk's patience, feints, movement, and footwork. He noted that while Dubois started strong, Usyk's skill and strategy ultimately won out. Parker also expressed hope that Usyk might call him out for a fight.
Usyk hasn't left Parker hanging. In his post-fight comments, the champion mentioned Parker as a strong option for his next opponent. This has only fueled Parker's ambition to challenge Usyk and potentially reclaim a top spot in the heavyweight division.
As the boxing world waits to see who Usyk will face next, one thing's clear: his knockout victory over Dubois has cemented his status as one of boxing's elite champions.
