It might be some time before we see Oleksandr Usyk in the ring once again.
The Ukrainian underscored his status as the finest heavyweight boxer of his generation with a unanimous points decision win against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month — the second time in a matter of months that the Ukrainian two-weight champion earned a win over the previously undefeated ‘Gypsy King.’
But after a career-high year in which he became the first heavyweight to unify boxing’s major titles this century, Usyk is expected to take some time of in 2025 as the rest of the division jockeys for position to be his next challenger.
“It’ll be a very long preparation,” Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, said to Boxing Scene, as noted by MMA Fighting. “After another 12 rounds with Fury, he needs a good, long recovery.”
As things stand, IBF champ Daniel Dubois — whom Usyk already holds a victory over — appears in pole position to be Usyk’s next opponent, provided he comes through a February test with a resurgent Joseph Parker.
Klimas says that Usyk’s ring return could come around “the end of July or August” but added that they will survey the heavyweight scene following the conclusion of Dubois-Parker.
Dubois entered the ring in Saudi Arabia last month soon after Usyk’s win over Fury was confirmed, immediately calling for a bout with the Ukrainian. Their initial contest which took place in Poland in August 2023 was won by Usyk via ninth round KO. However, the bout also came with controversy after Usyk was dropped by a shot that was later — and somewhat controversially — ruled as a low blow.
