Oleksandr Usyk could step directly back into the world title picture the moment he decides to make his return to the ring. The unbeaten Ukrainian sensation, who previously scaled the absolute peak of the division as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, voluntarily vacated all of his championship belts and is not anticipated to lace up the gloves again until next year. However, as speculation mounts over whether his eventual comeback will serve as a ultimate "last dance" bout before hanging up the gloves for good, veteran promoter Frank Warren has made it clear that he stands ready to facilitate a marquee, top-level opponent for the former pound-for-pound king.
Warren occupies a remarkably advantageous position in the current heavyweight ecosystem, controlling or representing several of the division’s most prominent titleholders and contenders. Among the stable of high-profile heavyweights associated with Warren is WBC champion Agit Kabayel, as well as current WBO heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois. Furthermore, Warren represents former champion Tyson Fury, who is positioned for another massive opportunity as he prepares to challenge Anthony Joshua in December with the WBA ‘super’ belt on the line. With such a deep pool of elite talent under his promotional umbrella, Warren believes any one of these potential matchups could provide the perfect stage for Usyk’s highly anticipated return to action.
While Usyk has already shared the ring with both Fury and Dubois, emerging victorious in those previous encounters, the narrative surrounding repeat or trilogy fights remains intensely lucrative and appealing to the global boxing public. A third meeting with Fury or a second clash against a rejuvenated Dubois would carry massive commercial weight and competitive intrigue. At the same time, the prospect of Usyk testing himself against Kabayel in a high-stakes WBC championship showdown, held in a packed stadium in Germany, offers an entirely distinct and highly compelling avenue for the Ukrainian master tactician to explore.
Speaking on the prospect of matching Kabayel against Usyk, Warren expressed complete openness to staging what would be a landmark European sports event. The promoter stated unequivocally that he would welcome the chance to put the German WBC champion in the ring against the former undisputed king. "I’ll take that fight [for Kabayel], I wouldn’t mind that fight," Warren told Sky Sports, signaling that the promotional machinery is already fully receptive to making such an event a reality should Usyk express interest in taking that path.
When asked about the broader array of possibilities involving his marquee fighters, Warren made it clear that he is willing to negotiate whichever route Usyk prefers to take upon his comeback. The veteran hall-of-fame promoter stressed that his existing relationship with Usyk’s management team is extremely positive, having successfully navigated complex, high-stakes negotiations on multiple occasions in the past.
"Any of them," Warren continued, emphasizing the flexibility and quality of options available to the Ukrainian. "There are some great fights to be made and we’ll make them. He can do what he likes, but if he wants to fight one of these guys, then come and see us. It’s not hard for us to do. We’ve worked together on quite a few occasions now, we got on very well and we’ve delivered."
Warren’s belief is that a fighter of Usyk’s pedigree will naturally gravitate toward the most lucrative and legacy-defining opportunities available on the market. Having achieved virtually everything possible in the sport—from Olympic gold to cruiserweight supremacy and undisputed heavyweight glory—Usyk is unlikely to settle for a routine tune-up bout when he returns next year. "He’ll want to be at the top so he’ll want to fight the best ones so let’s see who it is," Warren noted, placing the ball squarely in Usyk’s court as the boxing world awaits the champion’s decision.
Among the potential opponents, Tyson Fury remains a focal point of intense interest. The duo have engaged in social media exchanges, teasing the public with the possibility of completing a dramatic trilogy. Fury himself has publicly framed his upcoming December showdown against Anthony Joshua as a crucial warm-up exercise designed to sharpen his skills specifically for another crack at Usyk. With the WBA ‘super’ belt hanging in the balance in December, a Fury victory over Joshua would set up a monster unification or championship rematch scenario against Usyk, providing both men with the ultimate platform to settle their rivalry once and for all.
Concurrently, Daniel Dubois represents another explosive potential target for Usyk’s return, though Dubois must first navigate his own high-stakes business in the immediate future. Dubois previously came unstuck when facing Usyk in their world title collision, experiencing a setback that tested his resolve at the highest level of the sport. However, the powerhouse Briton showed immense resilience, launching a dramatic career revival that culminated in a thrilling victory over Fabio Wardley to capture the WBO heavyweight championship.
Dubois is now scheduled to defend his newly won WBO title in a highly anticipated rematch against Wardley at The O2 Arena in London. Should Dubois successfully defeat Wardley for a second time, he will enter next year positioned as a legitimate force at the pinnacle of the division, driven by the ambition to firmly establish himself as the premier heavyweight in world boxing. A potential rematch with Usyk—this time with Dubois holding a world title belt—would present a completely renewed context compared to their first encounter.
Dubois’ trainer, Don Charles, acknowledged the ultimate goal of elevating his fighter to the absolute top of the sport, while emphasizing that complete focus must remain on the immediate threat posed by Wardley at The O2 Arena. Speaking to Sky Sports, Charles laid out the team’s long-term aspirations alongside their short-term imperative.
"That’s the aim, that’s our objective," Charles explained when assessing Dubois’ campaign to be recognized as the world’s leading heavyweight next year. "It would be foolish of me to overlook Saturday. Fabio’s a serious, serious fighter. A very determined fighter. He’s ambitious, quite rightly so and he’s a former world champion."
Charles elaborated on the tactical and emotional hurdles that Dubois faces in the upcoming London clash, recognizing that a motivated former champion like Wardley will spare no effort in attempting to reclaim the gold he recently lost. "He’s going to do everything in his physical make up and desire to try and recapture his title," Charles added, describing the ferocious mindset they expect from the challenger. "And it’s down to us say no you can’t have it, we’re having it for keeps."
As the heavyweight division prepares for a crucial stretch of fight nights heading into the end of the year, the strategic board is taking shape for Usyk’s eventual return in 2025. Whether Usyk elects to pursue a WBC stadium extravaganza in Germany against Kabayel, a historic trilogy against the winner of the Fury-Joshua WBA ‘super’ title fight, or a high-profile showdown against the winner of the Dubois-Wardley clash at The O2 Arena, Frank Warren’s stable remains central to the narrative. With multiple world titles and established rivalries in play, Usyk’s planned return promises to immediately reframe the championship landscape at the top of the heavyweight sport.
