What next for Oleksandr Usyk after controversial win over Daniel Dubois?

The Ukrainian heavyweight could finally face Tyson Fury.

Published Aug 27, 2023

Oleksandr Usyk maintained his unbeaten record with a knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in Poland on Saturday night.

The Ukrainian put down Dubois in the ninth round to retain his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts, although there was controversy over a punch deemed a low blow by the British fighter in the fifth round that left Usyk on the canvas.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what comes next for Usyk.

Could there be a rematch?

Oleksandr Usyk celebrates victory (Czarek Sokolowski/AP)

What about Tyson Fury?

Usyk was asked immediately after the fight about the prospect of facing WBC champion Tyson Fury in a unification contest and said he would be ready for it “tomorrow”. Fury is due to fight Francis Ngannou on October 28 in Saudi Arabia, and predicting the 35-year-old’s next move is notoriously difficult.

Who else?

Filip Hrgovic celebrates beating Demsey McKean — Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory IBF challenger (Nick Potts/PA)

Could it be Joshua?

Anthony Joshua (left) and Oleksandr Usyk in action last year (Nick Potts/PA)

Any other options?

At 36, there must be questions about Usyk’s future in the sport and, if the Fury fight does not happen soon, how long will he hang on? The Ukrainian took up arms in the early stages of the war against Russia and events in his homeland could also be a factor in his next move.