Latest news with #OleksandrUsyk
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Independent
The road ahead for Oleksandr Usyk after Daniel Dubois rematch
Oleksandr Usyk will enter the ring on Saturday hoping to become a three-time undisputed champion against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. The Ukrainian has had a near-perfect professional career. He became undisputed cruiserweight champion in 17 fights and undisputed heavyweight champion in a further seven. But should he beat Dubois for a second time, what remains for Usyk? He has made it clear he does not have long left in the sport and his next fight could be his last. So what would be the perfect final flourish for arguably one of the greatest heavyweights of all time? Although Usyk has already beaten Tyson Fury twice, there are no more prizes for Usyk to collect, and this would surely be one of the biggest paydays the Ukrainian could bag before retiring. The pair fought to a tight split decision in their first encounter last year for the undisputed titles. Usyk then put the rivalry to bed by claiming a unanimous decision later that year. Most thought this was the end of the rivalry between the two as a trilogy would serve to prove nothing, even if Fury won, as Usyk would be the overall victor anyway. But Fury announced his comeback from retirement earlier this month and seemed to confirm a trilogy fight between himself and the undefeated heavyweight champion. At an event in Turkey, Fury told the media that the only fight he wants to come back for is Usyk. Fury said: 'Who would I rather fight now? Usyk. Because I want my revenge in England. That's all I want, I want my fair shout and I don't believe I've got a fair shout the last two times." Usyk had the chance to address these rumours ahead of his fight with Daniel Dubois and was just as confused as everyone else at Fury's fight announcement, but didn't write it off as a possibility. Usyk told The Stomping ground: 'I don't judge Tyson Fury. But I don't know what's going on.' He added: 'We have a fight in 2026? You crazy guy! After the fight [against Dubois], we speak about it.' Despite that chapter seemingly being closed, another fight and another win against Fury would be a perfect way to cap off Usyk's career – having beaten one of the best of this generation of heavyweights three times. Anthony Joshua trilogy There is another trilogy on the cards for Usyk, albeit less likely than Fury. Anthony Joshua is on the road to recovery after minor elbow surgery and is looking for his next fight. Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn have not mentioned a third fight with Usyk since he lost to Dubois last year, but if AJ can make a successful return, it will be on their radar. Usyk has been quoted as open to a third fight with AJ, saying that he would not deny the man who gave him two good fights and helped him become a household name in boxing. Usyk told Mail Sport before his rematch with Tyson Fury: 'I have no right to deny Anthony a third fight because he gave me two incredible fights.' He continued: 'Anthony helped me become even more famous in the world, and if it happens, then I am ready for a third fight.' This offer was predicated on Joshua beating Dubois, which, of course, did not happen, and Joshua now appears he be pursuing a fight with Tyson Fury instead. Jospeh Parker Suppose Usyk beats Dubois and intends to keep hold of his undisputed titles before he retires. In that case, the politics of boxing dictates he will have to fight his mandatory challenger – the big Kiwi and training partner of Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker. Parker is the WBO interim champion and has been since he knocked out Martin Bakole, who was a late replacement for Dubois, on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2 in February. The intricacies and parliamentary procedure between governing bodies is often not public information, but Frank Warren, speaking to Seconds Out, explained that no matter who wins on Saturday, Joseph Parker will be the mandatory challenger for at least the WBO title. Warren said: 'The first one is the WBO. They [the governing bodies] alternate, and the next one is the WBO, which is Joe Parker.' He concluded: 'He is the mandatory, and we will see what happens.' It might not be the big money, blockbuster fight Usyk is looking for to round out his career, but if he wishes to retire as undisputed, he may have to defend against Parker. Cruiserweight return This is perhaps more fantastical, but a return to cruiserweight is something that Usyk is on record as having considered. Ahead of his rematch with Fury last year, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion told the 3 Knockdown Rule podcast that he would like to fight at cruiserweight again and try to become undisputed for a second time. Usyk said: 'I want more [fights at] cruiserweight. Maybe I can be undisputed for a second time in the cruiserweight division, it's my plan. When I start to prepare for my training camp [as a heavyweight], I have to eat all the time. For me it's hard, I don't like it." A return to cruiserweight looks less and less likely as he came in at a career heaviest 224lbs against Fury and looks to be even bigger for his fight with Dubois. He would also have to unify the belts at cruiserweight, which would require at least three more fights. Badou Jack, Jai Opetaia and Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramriez are the three kings of the cruiserweight division currently. At 38 years old and on the verge of becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk could not be blamed for calling time on his career while still at the very pinnacle of the sport. Speaking to DAZN ahead of his rematch with Dubois, Usyk admitted that he is in the closing stages of his career and that he will fight Dubois, then have one more fight. Usyk said: 'I guess it's my two last fights. With Dubois. Next, I don't know who." If a good fight does not materialise for Usyk, then retirement is a more than viable option as he will have nothing left to prove should he beat Dubois on Saturday. Usyk vs Dubois 2 only on DAZN Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV this Saturday - July 19 - for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here.
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Oleksandr Usyk ordered to face rare ‘heavyweight who can cause him problems' following brutal Dubois KO
FANS believe that Oleksandr Usyk will come up against the one heavyweight he can "cause him problems." The Ukrainian fighter further punched his name in boxing history with his second KO win over Daniel Dubois on the weekend. 3 3 3 Usyk, 38, chinned the Brit in the fifth round to become the three-time undisputed champion of the world. He is now on the lookout for his next opponent and fans are convinced of who it should be. Usyk has dismantled British boxing with devastating wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and now Dubois. But he has been ordered to look further afield for his next entry into the ring. Fans are demanding that Usyk take on Kiwi fighter Joshua Parker, as he is the only remaining boxer who could challenge him. One posted: "Joseph Parker is the only heavyweight aside Fury who can give Usyk some problems, but Usyk still wins by stoppage, maybe." A second wrote: "Uysk can't win on stoppage. USYK on point. Parker will never quit." A third commented: "This would be a good fight." A fourth said: "Parker has earned his shot. And I genuinely believe Parker is the best person to give Usyk an actual tough fight." Another added: "Parker might just be Usyk's boogeyman. Parker has that 'thing' in him." Usyk vs Dubois round by round as brutal knockout cements Ukrainian's place in history OLEKSANDR USYK cemented his name in the list of all-time boxing greats as he became a three-time undisputed champion with a fifth round knockout win over Daniel Dubois. Usyk dropped Dubois multiple times as he put any doubts about his first win over the Brit to bed by cementing the repeat and avoiding the revenge. Here, SunSport's Jack Figg gives his round-by-round verdict... ROUND ONE Usyk looks light on his toes, swaying side to side, Dubois plants his feet and walks forward. Stiff jab from Usyk appears to almost wake Dubois up and the Brit responds with a one-two. Usyk searches to the body with a left, blocks a right hand from Dubois and ends the round with a menacing combo. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 ROUND TWO Dubois lunges in with a right hand, Usyk expertly takes half a step back and responds with a counter left. Another right misses from Dubois and he takes a left cross which has him on shaky legs. Already Usyk is finding his rhythm, making Dubois miss and certainly making him pay. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 (Usyk 20 Dubois 18) ROUND THREE Usyk staggers back after a right hand from Dubois - maybe more off balance than hurt. Dubois charges forward with a left hook, right hand but Usyk covers up well. Huge left hook lands on the button from Usyk, sweat sprays off Dubois face. Usyk 10 Dubois 9 (Usyk 30 Dubois 27) ROUND FOUR Right uppercut lands on Usyk's belt-line in a genuine case of dejavu from low-blow gate in their first fight. Dubois traps Usyk in the corner, lands a right but the Ukrainian legend slips off before any troubling damage can be done. Left hand lands for Usyk but Dubois grabs on and closes the distance, smart defence to cap off his best round so far. Usyk 9 Dubois 10 (Usyk 39 Dubois 37) ROUND FIVE Right hook followed by a left hand lands for Usyk has Dubois teetering backwards. Dubois comes forward, charging at Usyk and the two trade off in the corner but DOWN GOES DUBOIS after a counter right hook. He makes it to his feet but is dropped with another left hook and the fight is over! Dubois fails to beat the count and Usyk is once again undisputed heavyweight world champion. Usyk wins by KO And fans will be pleased to discover that Usyk has reportedly been ordered to fight Parker by the WBO. He will have to defend his WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles against the New Zealander. The two fighters have 30 days to agree on a deal, and then there will be bids for the purse. Meanwhile, after beating Dubois, Usyk had a press conference in stitches as he named his left hook that won him the fight. He said: "Left hook is like this [imitates a punch]. "And that [is] Ivan. It's a Ukrainian name. Ivan is like a big guy who lives in a village who works. "'What is your name?' [In a heavy voice] 'My name is Ivan'. "It's hard, hard punch. Yeah, Ivan." The undefeated star revealed he wants to spend some time with his family before deciding on his next match. He added: "I don't want anything next, this is enough. I want to rest now. I want to get home to my family and wife and my children. "I want to rest now but maybe - in two or three months - actually no, just rest."
BBC News
44 minutes ago
- Sport
- BBC News
WBO order Usyk to face mandatory challenger Parker
Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered by the WBO to begin negotiations with mandatory challenger Joseph Ukrainian, 38, unified the division for a second time on 19 July with a fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Zealand's Parker beat Zhilei Zhang to win the WBO interim belt in March parties have 30 days to find an agreement or the WBO will order purse bid held the WBO title between 2016 and 2018, beating Andy Ruiz Jr to claim the vacant belt, but lost it to Anthony Joshua after two defeat by Briton Joe Joyce in 2022, the 33-year-old has won six fights in a row to re-emerge among the title contenders. Parker was set to face Dubois for the IBF strap in February, but the Briton withdrew on two days' notice due to illness. The New Zealander remained on the card in Riyadh and defended his interim title status with a stoppage victory against Martin Bakole was an ever-present and vocal figure during the build-up to Usyk's latest success and he watched from ringside as the two-weight undisputed champion put on another masterclass in said he wanted to rest for "two or three months" after earning his second win against Dubois, but named Parker, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora as potential has yet to lose in 24 contests as a professional, with 15 victories by knockout.
The Independent
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Oleksandr Usyk officially ordered to fight Joseph Parker after seeing off Daniel Dubois
Oleksandr Usyk has officially been ordered to fight Joseph Parker, his WBO mandatory challenger, after regaining undisputed status in the heavyweight division. Usyk, 38, stopped Daniel Dubois for the second time on Saturday (19 July), regaining the IBF title and retaining his other belts at Wembley Stadium. The result kept the Ukrainian unbeaten, and talk quickly turned to his next challenge. In the ring after the London bout, Usyk faced off with YouTuber -turned-boxer Jake Paul, who talked up an MMA fight, while Parker also spoke to Usyk. A few weeks before Saturday's event, however, Tyson Fury announced he was ending his retirement with an eye on facing Usyk in April, having already lost to the southpaw twice. But the WBO has now officially ordered Usyk to box New Zealand's Parker, who retained the WBO interim title by knocking out Martin Bakole in February. That fight took place after Parker's planned clash with Dubois collapsed on two days' notice, with the Briton citing illness. The WBO said in a statement on Thursday (24 July): 'The WBO has officially ordered negotiations for the mandatory heavyweight title bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Joseph Parker. 'Both parties have 30 days to reach an agreement, or the WBO will proceed to a purse bid. Let the countdown begin.' Usyk could avoid the fight by relinquishing the WBO title, should he wish to take on a different test. Last year, after he outpointed Fury in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years, Usyk gave up the IBF title. With that, he avoided a mandatory defence of the IBF belt and was able to partake in his contractually mandated rematch with Fury. In December, Usyk outpointed the Briton again, retaining the unified belts. This week, Parker's coach Andy Lee, who was one of Fury's coaches in his two bouts with Usyk, revealed what it would take to beat Usyk. 'What we work on in the gym is being ready at all times and body language in the ring, and keeping your feet in a position where you're always ready to punch,' Lee said on DAZN's Ariel x Ade show. 'If you are resting and you are taking a break, you don't show it; you look as if you are ready to attack and you're ready to punch. That's basically what we do, and that's what Usyk does. 'Usyk feeds off his opponent's breaks. When they look to take that little switch, he'll attack them. He can pressure, pressure, pressure, feint with his magic wand right hand, and he just burns them up. 'They are mentally exhausted as much as physically. And then when he wants to rest, he can move and dip and dive under the big guys' punches.' Usyk's victory over Dubois, 27, not only made him a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, but also a three-time undisputed champion overall. Previously, the Ukrainian reigned as the only undisputed cruiserweight king of the four-belt era. He also won Olympic gold at London 2012. At Wembley, Usyk stopped Dubois in the fifth round, dropping the Briton twice en route to victory. He similarly dropped Dubois twice and stopped him in their 2023 fight in Poland.
Jordan Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Jordan Times
Usyk knocks out Dubois to become undisputed world heavyweight champion
LONDON — Oleksandr Usyk cemented his status as the outstanding heavyweight of his generation with an emphatic fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in their undisputed world title bout at London's Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Victory saw Ukraine's Usyk extend his unbeaten professional record to 24 fights as the WBA, WBC and WBO champion added his British opponent's IBF belt to his collection. Usyk, now a two-time undisputed champion, dominated the opening four rounds. And early in the fifth he dropped Dubois to the canvas. Moments later he finished the fight in decisive fashion after a trademark left hook left his British rival unable to beat the count one minute and 52 seconds into the round. It was the second time Usyk, at 38 some 11 years older than his opponent, had defeated Dubois following a ninth-round stoppage success in Krakow, Poland, in 2023, where the Briton was ruled to have landed an illegal low blow in the fifth round. Lennox Lewis, the last British boxer to be undisputed world champion in 1999, forecast before Saturday's fight that Usyk would face a vastly-improved Dubois, saying: "Dubois was a baby in the sport and now he's a not going to see the same Daniel Dubois from 18 months ago." But after Usyk was roared into the ring by a huge contingent of supporters, many of them waving Ukraine national flags in a 90,000 capacity crowd at Wembley, best known as the London base of England's national football team, it was largely one-way traffic as their hero conducted a ruthless masterclass against local favourite Dubois. "38 is a young guy, remember!," Usyk told DAZN in the ring after dropping to his knees in celebration. "38 is only start! "I want to say thank you to Jesus Christ. I want to say thank you to my team and Wembley, thank you so much! It's for the people. "Nothing is next. It's enough, next, I don't know. I want to rest. My family, my wife, my children, I want to rest now. Two or three months, I want to just rest." 'Modern-day legend' Asked about his next opponent Usyk, who has already twice beaten former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, added: "Maybe it's Tyson Fury. Maybe we have three choices, Derek Chisora and Anthony Joshua. Maybe Joseph Parker. Listen, I cannot now say because I want to go back home." Dubois insisted he would return to the ring, saying: "I have to commend him [Usyk] on the performance, I gave everything I had. Take no credit away from that man, I'll be back." His trainer, Don Charles, added: "We tried to get going, Dubois is a young will be back stronger. If you're going to lose, lose to someone like Usyk." And promoter Frank Warren, a veteran of the British boxing scene, said: "Usyk is a modern-day legend. In any generation he would be a great fighter. No complaints, the better man won on the night. "It's Joe Parker's time." Usyk, meanwhile, basked in the adulation following the latest dazzling victory of a career that has seen him emerge as a national hero in his war-torn homeland. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky was among the first to congratulate Usyk on his victory. "An undisputed champion. A legend. One of our own," Zelensky wrote on X. "Thank you for the strength and inspiration you give to the whole country with every victory. Thank you for stepping into each fight with Ukraine in your heart."
