When it comes to picking the “best” weight class in boxing at the moment, there will surely be varying opinions. They’re all interesting in their own right, but the heavyweight division might just be the most intriguing. And it all starts with Oleksandr Usyk.
The legendary Ukrainian boxer has reigned supreme over the division since the COVID pandemic, taking down giants Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois – each of them twice. Nearing 39 years old, Usyk can hang up the gloves right now and would go down as one of the greatest boxers of all-time. But he wants more, and he has a specific plan in mind to close out his career.
Deontay Wilder a lock to be Oleksandr Usyk’s next opponent
It all starts with Deontay Wilder, an opponent who has intrigued Usyk for quite some time. Despite looking like a shell of his former self at 40 years old, Wilder is still a big name and a respected boxer in Usyk’s eyes. After the Wilder fight, Usyk doesn’t have too many long-term plans: he only sees one or two more fights on the docket following Wilder.
One of those subsequents could very well be against Fury, in a trilogy bout that has been rumored for a while. Fury is obviously the biggest name in the division still, along with Joshua, but fans want Usyk to aim for new opponents to close out his career.
The names that keep ringing for boxing fanatics are Agit Kabayel, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma. Kabayel is 26-0 and has more than earned his shot at a mega fight. Wardley is coming off of a signature TKO win over Joseph Parker, who was previously the WBO mandatory challenger to Usyk. Itauma is the up-and-coming star, but he’s still very young and might actually be the most dangerous opponent for Usyk.
Whatever Usyk decides to do, he has earned the right to do it. As in-form and in his prime as Usyk is, age is not on his side. He’s firmly in the twilight of his career, and he knows it. But he wants to go out with a bang.
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