Usyk to Retire After Two More Bouts, Targets Dubois/Parker

Oleksandr Usyk will be hanging up his gloves after a couple more fights, starting with the winner of the February 22nd match between IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.

It’s unclear how much money Usyk can make fighting the winner of that match. That would depend on whether Turkki Al-Sheikh fancies seeing Usyk fight the Dubois vs. Parker winner. With Turki, you never know. Parker isn’t very popular. There wouldn’t be as much fan interest if Usyk faced him, but he’s the only one that makes sense for him to fight.

Dubois Rematch?

Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) has already wiped out ‘The Big Three,’ beating Tyson Fury x 2, Anthony Joshua x 2, and Dubois. The reality is, there’s no point in Usyk, 38, fighting Dubois again because he already knocked him out when he seemingly quit in the ninth round on August 26, 2023. How does Usyk get motivated for that fight?

Even if Usyk beats Dubois again, it’s predictable that in a year or two, there will be pressure from the fans, media, and promoters for a third fight. All it would take is for Dubois to look good in a couple of his fights for the drumbeat to begin for another Usyk fight. To turn Dubois into a star, he needs a win over Oleksandr.

Opetaia Option

It only makes sense for Usyk to fight Parker if he emerges victorious against Daniel. If not, Usyk should fight Jai Opetaia if he’s willing to move up to heavyweight to fight him. Oleksandr moving down to cruiserweight to fight the less popular Opetaia is pointless. Why should he give a handicap to a fighter who isn’t on the same level as him, popularity-wise?

“I will fight who will win, Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem. I think two years, one and a half. I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare,” said Oleksandr Usyk to Sky Sports News.