Oleksandr Usyk has two fights left as a unified champion however does Daniel Dubois nonetheless match into his plans and will we see an surprising heavyweight rematch?
Usyk had a entrance row seat reserved in Saudi Arabia, however posters for an additional undisputed world title struggle announcement most likely lay in a backstage dustbin after an astonishing 48 hours in boxing’s prime division.
It wasn’t purported to occur like this.
Usyk was anticipated to stride menacingly onto the ring apron to substantiate one other bout for all the key belts, however Dubois, his former adversary, was nowhere close to the sector after all of the sudden falling ailing with a virus on Thursday.
Martin Bakole, a gargantuan contender from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had swiftly accepted a suggestion to problem Dubois’ supposed opponent, Joseph Parker. However Bakole’s 310lb body was betrayed by quaking legs after a proper hand from Parker despatched him sprawling within the second spherical on Saturday night time.
So what subsequent and who subsequent?
Tyson Fury’s newest retirement announcement has left Joshua in limbo, whereas Usyk has confirmed that he solely needs two extra fights.
Promoter Frank Warren looked for positives as Dubois lay on a sick mattress.
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Joseph Parker says he needs to be a world champion once more after stopping Martin Bakole within the second spherical of their heavyweight conflict. You’ll be able to watch Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace.
“I feel the perverse thing out of it is we’ve got more of an option now,” Warren mentioned.
“I’d like to see the rematch with Usyk. That’s an option, if it can be done I’d love that.
“However then we have Joe Parker, we have AJ, who’s obtained over his damage and he might need to do it now with the actual fact [Dubois] has been ailing, who is aware of?”
Anthony Joshua was additionally watching and ready for potential opponents
Dubois has historical past with Usyk. Again in August of 2023, the British fighter floored the Ukrainian with a punch that was dominated a low blow, regardless of its closeness to the belt line, and Usyk was given time to regain his toes and drive a stoppage.
Dubois nonetheless holds his IBF belt and will head straight for an undisputed world title struggle in opposition to Usyk, the WBC, IBF and WBO champion.
Joshua was sat in shut proximity to Usyk and would have additionally been upset by the absence of Dubois, who had knocked him out at Wembley in September.
Revenge plans for Joshua stay unclear as he’s at the moment absent from the IBF rankings. Deontay Wilder, one other rumoured opponent, was not ringside in Saudi and has not been seen inside a hoop since a loss to Zhilei Zhang final June.
Joshua had additionally been linked with Bakole after the duo shared an icy face-off at a London occasion. However Bakole shall be hoping that an IBF last eliminator in opposition to Efe Ajagba can nonetheless go forward after he dared to be nice in opposition to Parker.
Agit Kabayel has already positioned himself for a WBC title shot after a surprising stoppage of Zhang, however could possibly be made to attend just a little longer because the governing physique has no quick necessary title commitments.
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Highlights of the explosive heavyweight conflict between Agit Kabayel and Zhilei Zhang.
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Oleksandr Usyk was within the ring to current Agit Kabayel with the interim belt after a sixth-round stoppage in opposition to Zhilei Zhang.
Parker, having toppled Bakole after wins over Zhang and Deontay Wilder, arguably is most deserving of one other world title shot in opposition to Dubois and even Usyk.
In his post-match interview, Parker raised a pertinent query. “How can I fight for the world title next?
“If Usyk needs a dance associate. I need to struggle for a world title, I need to be champion of the world once more.”
But Sky Sports expert Johnny Nelson has questioned whether Parker could resume his rivalry with a former opponent.
Nelson said: “You realize what I believe goes to occur. I believe Daniel Dubois goes on to field Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua sat ringside, he isn’t obtained an opponent but and both means I believed, if Parker wins tonight, suddenly AJ will discover an opponent and he will not be getting in with Daniel Dubois once more.
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Johnny Nelson believes that Joseph Parker might face Anthony Joshua once more after his victory in opposition to Martin Bakole. You’ll be able to watch Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 dwell on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace.
“Don’t be surprised if that happens again, Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker.”
After one other whirlwind week within the heavyweight division, Usyk, Dubois, Parker and Joshua might all function on freshly repainted billboards within the close to future.
E book repeats of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch at 8am and 6pm on Sunday February 23 on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace. E book now!
