What's next for Usyk?

What should Usyk do next?

Dubois (if he beats Parker)
20
24%
Parker (if he beats Dubois)
22
27%
Kabayel (if he beats Zhang)
9
11%
Zhang (if he beats Kabayel)
3
4%
Bakole (if he beats Ajagba)
3
4%
Opetaia at CW
2
2%
Opetaia at HW
7
9%
Ramirez at CW
2
2%
Retire
14
17%
 
Total votes: 82

klitoris
Super Welterweight
Posts: 927
Joined: 29 Sep 2014, 18:16

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by klitoris »

It depends on what happens in other fights. If Parker beats Dubois, I would want to see Usyk vs Parker. Dubois rematch is not interesting to me because I think Usyk beat Dubois too comfortably to warrant a rematch. The low blow "controversy" was overblown so I don't put much stock in that narrative.
The only way the Dubois rematch makes any sense is if Dubois beats Parker, then maybe revenges that Joyce fight and beats the Joshua-Fury winner. But by that time Usyk will be 40 and should be retired so even then it would make little sense.

Usyk could want to fight Dubois right away to unify the belts again and retire undisputed. But I think that desire only really has any sense if Parker is the one to actually hold the belt. I remember at the beginning of this era Parker was part of the elite list (along with AJ, Joshua, Wilder, Fury and Usyk) of fighters to dominate after the Wlad era. So beating Parker as a belt holder (and a former WBO champ) would add some more prestige to Usyk's resume.

I don't think going down to Cruiser makes sense unless Jai unifies the division. One sort of interesting fight at 200 could be a fight vs Beterbiev (if he beats Bivol twice). In that case 200 could be a good weight to do that fight (There is some history between the two of them).
gilgamesh
Cruiserweight
Posts: 46236
Joined: 02 Sep 2010, 16:21

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by gilgamesh »

joshj909 wrote: 22 Dec 2024, 06:07
Syntax Error wrote: 22 Dec 2024, 01:38
goose 5 wrote: 21 Dec 2024, 21:06 I suspect he'll fight Parker next; I expect Parker beats Dubois. However, a return to cruiser intrigues me more.
There's no way he's going back down.

That would be a suicidal move, dropping down at 39 years old to face a much younger and potential HOFer.

If anything, Opetaia should be moving up, because the CW division I'd not very glamorous.
It would solidify him as the best cruiserweight ever. In my opinion he already is, but he beat the best two guys of the last generation in Briedis and Gassiev and if he was to go and beat Opetaia too then it just cements his cruiserweight legacy. He's probably not too far off the out of camp weight he was for cruiserweight right now but obviously weight cuts are tough and his speed will have dropped. That's the thing that all time great resumes are made of though.
He is the best Cruiserweight ever already.

Going back down to Cruiserweight would be retarded quite frankly. He'd be putting himself at a physical disadvantage, plus making less money.

I'm sure even Opetaia would rather challenge Usyk for the Heavyweight Championship if they were to fight because the fight being for the Heavyweight Title instead of the Cruiserweight Title makes it worth about 30 Million more dollars :lol:
klitoris
Super Welterweight
Posts: 927
Joined: 29 Sep 2014, 18:16

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by klitoris »

Just for historical legacy, I do want Usyk to fight in Vegas on a PPV at least once (and hopefully win). Practically all the ATGs have had Vegas fights on their record and it would be a nice touch. A fight at MSG would also be good.
joshj909
Lightweight
Posts: 5874
Joined: 01 Dec 2017, 06:16

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by joshj909 »

klitoris wrote: 22 Dec 2024, 17:10 Just for historical legacy, I do want Usyk to fight in Vegas on a PPV at least once (and hopefully win). Practically all the ATGs have had Vegas fights on their record and it would be a nice touch. A fight at MSG would also be good.
He might finally get robbed on the cards if he fights in Vegas. They've tried hard enough elsewhere
pound per pound
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 1593
Joined: 13 Jan 2005, 14:36

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by pound per pound »

joshj909 wrote: 21 Dec 2024, 20:06 Quite simple, what should Usyk do next? 3 options each so select the next three things you'd want to see from him
The highest purse.
Syntax Error
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 9004
Joined: 22 Apr 2005, 08:00

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by Syntax Error »

Usyk deserves a homecoming fight in Ukraine because he's always had to fight in someone else's backyard.

Sadly that it isn't possible thanks to Vlad The Insaner, but that's a whole different conversation.
joshj909
Lightweight
Posts: 5874
Joined: 01 Dec 2017, 06:16

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by joshj909 »

pound per pound wrote: 23 Dec 2024, 09:03
joshj909 wrote: 21 Dec 2024, 20:06 Quite simple, what should Usyk do next? 3 options each so select the next three things you'd want to see from him
The highest purse.
Pretty much whatever Turki wants then. Probably Dubois as Frank seems to have his ear the most.
Contendeh
Super Lightweight
Posts: 515
Joined: 12 Jun 2016, 10:30

Re: What's next for Usyk?

Post by Contendeh »

No rematch clause for Dubois vs Parker?

If Usyk is not retiring, he’ll be expected to match up with the winner.

Could very well be Parker.
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