Next February 22, Daniel Dubois will defend his FIB heavyweight title against Joseph Parker in the event of the Riad season. The winner of this fight will be the next Oleksandr Usyk opponent, in which his penultimate fight would be before his 38 years, when he plans to retire from boxing. This news has taken fans of the noble art of boxing by surprise. The Ukrainian boxer last stepped into the ring on December 21, 2024, for a rematch against Tyson Fury, whom he had already beaten months prior. The outcome of the second fight was the same, with Usyk winning by unanimous decision, maintaining his undefeated record of 22-0-0.
This result led to Tyson Fury announcing his official retirement from boxing, but not before he made a comment about Oleksandr Usyk, saying “Dick Turpin wore a mask,” referring to the famous fictional thief, as he believes he won the last fight in Arabia.
Dubois wants to fire him in his own way
Behind the Usyk vs Fury 1 fight, Daniel Dubois collected the FIB heavyweight champion belt that Usyk had left vacant. However, Dubois is not content with just having the belt and wants to defeat the current undisputed champion in a rematch. “Usyk, I want my revenge. I want my revenge, Usyk,” he said after the Usyk vs Fury 2 fight. Recall that in their first meeting, Usyk won with some controversy after having received an “uppercut” that the referee considered a low blow, giving him time to regain strength and eventually sending Dubois to the canvas with a right-wing hook.
“Usyk, I want my revenge. I want my revenge, Usyk”
Daniel Dubois in the ring to Usyk
For his part, the current champion has already stated in an interview with Sky Sports: “I will fight whoever wins, Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem.” This sets the stage for his next opponent, whom he will face at the end of this year in his penultimate fight.
In search of the chosen
After having chosen who will face before the end of the year, now it remains to be known who the last opponent will be for Usyk’s withdrawal, if he keeps his word. A range of names is being considered, from old glories such as Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury (although the latter has just announced his withdrawal) to young boxers like Johnny Fisher or Moses Itauma. With only 25 years, Itauma already presents an enviable record of 12-0-0, and his last fight was against David Allen, where he won by divided decision. He is already preparing a possible rematch and presents himself as a strong candidate to face Usyk.
Itauma would be a great rival to finish Usyk’s career, as the young British boxer is prepared to demonstrate his level against “The Cat”: “I think I am the best boxer in the world. I just have to leave and prove it,” he said in an interview with Box Nation.
I think I am the best boxer in the world. I just have to leave and prove it
Moses Itauma in Box Nation
However, the boxing world is eager to see a fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk before he retires. This is a match that many fans have been asking for, and hopefully, this story will close with an encounter between the two British boxers.