World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has made it clear that he’s only interested in facing British-Nigerian Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, setting the stage for potentially career-defining clashes in the heavyweight division.
In an interview with Seconds Out, the Ukrainian boxer expressed his preference for rematches with both fighters, stating that it’s time for younger challengers to rise.
“Well, this is a rematch with Fury and possibly a third fight with Joshua. Only these two guys are still interesting. From now on, let the youth get fit and work,” Usyk said.
The 37-year-old champion, boasting an impressive record of 22-0 with 14 knockouts, is scheduled to face Fury on December 21.
However, he hasn’t ruled out a third fight with Joshua, depending on Joshua’s performance against Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
Joshua’s upcoming bout with Dubois has already generated buzz, with tickets selling out rapidly for the expanded 96,000-capacity venue. Wembley Stadium increased its seating from 90,000 to meet the overwhelming demand. Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, confirmed the sell-out, underscoring the massive interest in Joshua’s attempt to reclaim a world title for the third time. The fight is part of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh season and promises to be a historic night for boxing.
For Joshua, the clash with Dubois represents a crucial step on his path back to the top of the heavyweight division.
“The goal is just to get through a successful training camp and then perform on the night,” Joshua said, acknowledging the challenge ahead.
Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion after Usyk vacated the belt, is equally determined to leave his mark.
“AJ has been the king for a long time, and we all know it. On the night, I need to become a king-slayer,” the young champion declared.
Usyk’s focus on Joshua and Fury signals his intent to close out his career on a high note. Should he defeat both fighters again, he could potentially retire with an unbeaten record of 24-0, cementing his legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
The Ukrainian champion’s remarkable career already includes an Olympic gold medal and the distinction of being the first boxer to unify all four belts in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Retiring undefeated would further solidify his legendary status in the sport.
As the boxing world eagerly awaits these high-stakes matchups, all eyes will first turn to Joshua’s performance against Dubois at Wembley, with the result potentially paving the way for a trilogy bout with Usyk, adding another chapter to their epic rivalry.
