History, for Oleksandr Usyk, is not simply written—it’s reimagined. On July 19th, inside a raucous Wembley Stadium, the unbeaten Olympic gold medalist authored yet another chapter that left the world of boxing awestruck. Before 90,000 roaring fans, the Ukrainian genius dismantled Daniel Dubois for a second time, not just defending his gold, but reclaiming the IBF title that he was previously stripped of to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
One left hook, two knockdowns, five sublime rounds—the breathtaking knockout didn’t just end DDD’s crusade; it installed Usyk as the first man ever to become undisputed world champion not once, not twice, but three times: twice as a heavyweight, as mentioned, once at cruiserweight. In an era overloaded with hyperbole, his achievement stands cold, clinical, and indisputable.
Online betting sites had made Usyk a huge favorite to secure the victory, but that didn’t make his performance any less impressive. The use of a betting odds calculator parlay shows just how big of a frontrunner he was, with a $100 bet on Usyk paying out just $29 in profit as opposed to $275 on a Dubois victory. Using a betting odds calculator is a great way to get a better sense of how the odds stack up in real terms. But still, the 38-year-old still had to get the job done, and he did exactly that, in scintillating fashion.
As the confetti settles and the spotlights dim, one question takes center stage: Where does the modern master go from here? Usyk has swept the heavyweight division not once, but twice— securing two victories over each of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and now Dubois. Yet, boxing, with its endless thirst for the next challenge and narrative, always serves up contenders, and here are the three that are seemingly at the front of the queue.
Tyson Fury
How much closer can two elite heavyweights push each other? Across two epic meetings, Usyk and Fury have tested every gear in their respective repertoires. The first fight? An edge-of-your-seat war of nerves, barely separated on the scorecards, with some ringside arguing that Fury nicked it. The second was a different animal—Usyk finding another level and solving the problem that is Gypsy King a little more comfortably.
But this is heavyweight boxing, and nothing stays still. Fury, never one to slink into the shadows, is on the rampage for a third collision. Age 36 but as charismatic as ever, the Morecambe marvel has made clear that only a trilogy can settle the ledger for good. “We split the moral scorecard,” Fury’s camp claims. They see openings. Usyk’s fans argue the opposite—two wins are two wins, end of discussion.
Listen to the promoters, listen to the fans, and above all, listen to the numbers: a trilogy bout would certainly generate plenty of cash and command the attention of the sporting globe. From a legacy perspective? Usyk, having parried Fury’s arsenal twice, could slam the book shut on the greatest heavyweight rivalry of his generation. From Fury’s angle, redemption beckons and with it, the chance to take back his kingdom. But does he deserve the opportunity, or was that second triumph for the Ukrainian resounding enough to end the debate once and for all?
Joseph Parker
Joseph Parker knows about being overlooked—that’s what makes him dangerous. The current WBO interim champion and New Zealand’s finest is riding one of the most impressive winning streaks in the division at present. Look at the facts: victories over the bone-crushing Deontay Wilder, the perpetually avoided Zhilei Zhang, and the surging Martin Bakole. Parker, once thought of as a nearly-man in this era of giants, has rebuilt himself through grit, adaptability, and relentless refinement.
His fighting style is a refreshing antidote to the division’s bludgeoning orthodoxy. Parker works angles, operates at a deceptive pace, and neutralizes power punchers with skill and nerve. His decision win over Zhang, in particular, was a masterclass in controlling range against a bigger man. In the politics of boxing, Parker now stands at the very front of the mandatory queue. The numbers don’t lie—his resume, right now, might be the best out of any contender.
For Usyk, Parker is a test of athleticism and stamina, a fighter less likely to fade late than the usual parade of heavy-handed sluggers. Old school fans would love the purity of this pairing: slick southpaw chessmaster versus multidimensional problem-solver. Usyk’s belts demand a defense against the rightful challenger, and Parker’s claim is backed by results, but one can’t help but think that the current king is levels ahead of the potential number one contender.
Agit Kabayel
Creeping up the outside, Germany’s Agit Kabayel has thundered into the conversation. The unbeaten WBC interim champion stands at 26-0 with 18 knockouts—a cold, calculated ledger punctuated by a recent demolition of Zhilei Zhang. Five straight knockouts have turned Kabayel from an afterthought into an unavoidable problem.
His style is relentless and direct. Kabayel brings pressure with every round, his punch output more reminiscent of a hungry cruiserweight than a ponderous heavyweight. Against Zhang, he mixed body work with head shots, wore down one of the division’s most durable men, and finished the job in the fifth—the precise round Usyk dispatched Dubois. Coincidence? Perhaps. But patterns matter.
Make no mistake: Kabayel’s star is rising, and his network of boosters in Europe would turn any fight into a hot ticket. Does he have the polish? Usyk might see raw edges to exploit, but youth, ambition, and an unblemished record often turn up surprises. Should Usyk want to end his reign by eliminating yet another unbeaten name, Kabayel offers the perfect foil.
