I personally don’t think he has much left to prove but knowing his desire to keep fighting and continue on I think he’ll stick around for a few more years. A Dubois rematch is pointless IMO but it sounds like they’ll pursue that fight for some “unfinished business. Who are the last remaining fighters left at HW that Usyk should face before calling it quits? Is there any other fighters for him to beat that will help enhance his resume / legacy / ATG ranking at this point?
He won't fight to prove anything. These are professional boxers, they fight for money. So: AJ 3, Fury 3, Zhang, Dubois 2. Beterbiev at cruiserweight. These are the most profitable fights for him.
That's the problem, he's beaten the best of the best. Any additional fights would be against lesser opposition than he's already beaten. Who's left that gives his resume a boost or draws in a lot of money? Maybe fighting Zhang in Beijing?
A third fight with AJ and Fury would be absolutely pointless in a legacy standpoint. Financially it’ll be big but all that does is just show that AJ and Fury can’t accept losing twice to the better fighter. Those two are better off just facing each other. There’s other fighters that Usyk hasn’t fought yet that I would rather see.
He should retire. but if he continues on he should face - winner of Parker vs Dubois. Hoping it will be Parker but either winner is deserving of the next shot. or Jai Opetai the clear best cruiser if he moves up is a good scrap. or ……Wlad …. Would be a fight the country of Ukraine sorely needs
With these 2 Fury fights alone, Usyk has banked about $100M. And he certainly already had made several million from AJ x 2. Unlike Fury or others, his lifestyle is such that he doesn’t blow all his money on hookers and coke, so for Usyk, I don’t think money will drive him at all. If he isn’t fighting for legacy, he won’t fight. The only one I can think of is the winner of Dubois-Parker, just to say he re-took the IBF strap.
Opetaia would be the dream matchup, but I doubt that sells well outside of the dedicated fan base. Maybe AJ 3 from a pure financial standpoint.
Tbh Usyk has earned any fight he wants, there isn’t a name that would significantly enhance his resume anymore. He can go for either title defenses or retire. Beterbiev fight is intriguing too but if the Bivol fight was so close I think Usyk makes very easy work outta Beterbiev.
Who cares about legacy? Usyk would be very happy to fight AJ and Fury for 3rd time and get a total of $100M paycheck.
Dubois vs Parker winner. And Itauma because he will be a future Champion. And maybe another Top 10 contender. That would really solidify his career.
Winner of Parker and Dubois Opetaia Beterbiev in CW or some catchweight - Ukraine vs Russia --> clash of the two all time greats Then the end. If Usyk plans to fight until 40 .... He could finish Bakole before fighting Opetaia. Bakole is just too cocky and disrespectful.