Oleksandr Usyk Considers Next Steps After Dominating Heavyweight Division
Oleksandr Usyk has solidified his status as the leading heavyweight of his generation, recently achieving a significant milestone by defeating Tyson Fury for the second time in December. This victory allowed the Ukrainian boxing sensation to maintain his grasp on the unified WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles, further enhancing his legacy in the sport.
With his remarkable career already featuring championships in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, Usyk now faces the challenge of determining his next move as he seemingly runs out of worthy opponents.
One contender who has stepped up is Jai Opetaia, the reigning IBF cruiserweight champion. Opetaia has expressed a strong interest in facing Usyk, stating he would eagerly welcome the opportunity to fight the accomplished pugilist, whether it be a return to cruiserweight or in the heavyweight ranks down the line. The Australian boasts an unbeaten record of 27-0, with notable victories against Mairis Briedis in both 2022 and 2024.
Eddie Hearn, Opetaia’s promoter, has made it known that the long-term goal involves setting up a showdown with Usyk. Hearn believes that Opetaia possesses the unique skills necessary to pose a real challenge to the 38-year-old champion over the next 12 to 18 months. “The medium focus right now is to unify the belts in the division, while the long-term aim is to challenge Usyk for the unified heavyweight world championship,” Hearn remarked.
In a conversation with iFL TV, Usyk was asked about the possibility of confronting Opetaia. He responded, “I don’t know, maybe. He’s [Opetaia] a great fighter.” When queried about his future aspirations in boxing, Usyk indicated he is currently taking a step back. “Now, just rest. No think about boxing,” he revealed.
Usyk’s last encounter was with Daniel Dubois in August 2023, where he overcame a knockdown from a contentious body shot that hit him on the belt line. Following Usyk’s December victory, Dubois, who captured the IBF heavyweight title last year and secured a surprising win against Anthony Joshua in September, made his intentions clear by entering the ring almost immediately after Usyk’s win. Dubois is targeting a rematch with the Ukrainian, which could offer him a shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion.
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