Will Usyk return in 2025: Kabayel, Itauma or Dubois?

Oleksandr Usyk will fight in July or August 2025 to defend his unified heavyweight championship. He defeated former WBC champion Tyson Fury via a 12-round unanimous decision in a rematch held in Riyadh on Saturday night.

This fight was easier for Usyk than the last one as Fury chose to make weight at 281 pounds and was too heavy to do anything in the fight.

Tyson glanced at poor health It's as if he's been working figuratively in training camp to prepare for the rematch. It looks awkward and must be disappointing for his fans. Fury's belly shows that he has eaten well during training camp.

Who's next?

Usyk's manager Eges Klimas told Boxingscene that Oleksandr (23-0, 14 KOs) will rest until next summer. There is no word yet on who Usyk will face next. These interesting options for Usyk to enter a voluntary defense:

——Ajit Kabayel
——Moses Itama
——Fabio Wadley
——Martin Bakole

UK fans are buzzing Itama This follows his win over journeyman Demsey McKean last Saturday night. If Itauma's promoter believes in him, he should test his confidence by putting him against Usyk while he's still in the ring. If they wait, Usyk will retire and Itama will be stuck in a fight with no name.

The timing could mean Usyk doesn't opt ​​for a unification match against IBF champion Daniel Dubois next. Dubois will defend the belt against Joseph Parker on February 22, and it will be a quick start for him to get back into training camp and start training for a fight against Usyk in July or August. change.

At 27, Dubois is still young and could return to action soon, but he won't be in top form as he needs time to prepare for Usyk's style. He couldn't do that through short cram sessions during training camp.

If Dubois rushes into a fight with the talented Ukrainian, he may regret it and suffer another knockout loss, just like he did in his first fight last August 26 in Wroclaw, Poland. Usyk battered Dubois over eight rounds before landing a powerful punch in the ninth that knocked the tired giant down.

Like the first, this wasn't a punishing fight for Usyk as he outsmarted Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) and used his limited mobility to counter him with combinations he.

He showed that the Gypsy King has suffered heavy losses in competition over the past four years and was exhausted in three games with the “Bronze Bomber” Deontay Wilder.