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Oleksandr Usyk has decided to step away from the ring for an extended break following his impressive victory over Tyson Fury, marking the second time in a year he has outclassed the British fighter.
The Ukrainian boxer showcased his dominance in their rematch, earning a unanimous decision and solidifying his place as the reigning unified heavyweight champion.
The judges’ identical scores of 116-112 left no room for debate, despite protests from Fury’s camp. Statistics from the bout highlighted Usyk’s precision and control, underscoring his superiority over the course of the fight.
At 38, Usyk has reached an extraordinary pinnacle in his career, having achieved undisputed champion status in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. This feat places him among the elite few, alongside fighters like Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue, who have achieved similar milestones in the four-belt era.
What’s Next for Usyk?
As fans speculate about the future, retirement remains a possibility for Usyk, who has already etched his name in the annals of boxing history as one of the sport’s all-time greats. However, there are still potential challenges if he decides to return.
One such challenge comes from Daniel Dubois, who issued a public callout following Usyk’s latest win. The two previously faced off in a controversial fight where Dubois landed a body shot that was ruled a low blow, giving Usyk time to recover before eventually stopping Dubois in the ninth round. A rematch could be on the horizon, but only if Dubois defeats Joseph Parker in their upcoming bout on February 22.
Another avenue could see Usyk revisit the cruiserweight division, where he first achieved undisputed status. Promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed interest in a fight between Usyk and Jai Opetaia, the IBF Cruiserweight Champion, calling it an exciting stylistic matchup.
“Opetaia versus Usyk would be a phenomenal fight,” Hearn said. “But Jai still has steps to take, including unifying against [Gilberto] Ramirez, before he’s ready for a challenge like Usyk. That said, Usyk’s options are limited—he’s beaten nearly everyone worth beating.”
Also read: Worthy Contenders for Oleksandr Usyk: Who Can Dethrone the Heavyweight Maestro?
A Rest Before the Next Chapter
For now, Usyk’s immediate focus is recovery. His manager, Egis Klimas, emphasized the importance of a break after another demanding fight against Fury.
“He needs a long rest after 12 hard rounds,” Klimas said. “We’re looking at a return around late July or August, but no decisions have been made. Dubois still has to beat Parker before even thinking about Usyk.”
Should Usyk return, the cruiserweight division offers intriguing opportunities, including potential bouts with WBA and WBO titleholder Zurdo Ramirez or WBC Champion Noel Mikaelyan. Victories against these opponents could allow Usyk to reclaim his status as an undisputed champion at cruiserweight.
For now, however, Usyk’s focus is on rest and reflection, leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for one of the greatest fighters of this generation.
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