After beating Daniel Dubois, the boxing world is Oleksandr Usyk’s oyster

Oleksandr Usyk doesn’t need to negotiate. The undisputed heavyweight champion knows the game has changed - he’s the one fighters seek out. After dismantling Daniel Dubois in five rounds before a roaring crowd of over 90,000 at Wembley Stadium, the Ukrainian left the arena unhurried, with no need to explain what’s next.

“Next, I don’t know - I want to rest,” he said in his typically measured tone. Discipline has already done its job: it brought him glory, the belts… and complete control over his future.

With a perfect record of 24 wins, 15 by knockout, and no defeats, Usyk has conquered boxing’s most prestigious division. He’s reached a point where no opponent is urgent and every move is calculated. And while he continues to dominate in the ring with his signature intelligence, the real power broker outside of it is Turki Alalshikh - the Saudi mastermind reshaping global boxing.

The equation is simple now: Usyk can choose to end his career with a historic payday - potentially around $150 million, surpassing his earnings from his last fight. Or he can extend his reign, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s entertainment-driven vision for the sport.

Who could Usyk face next?

There’s no shortage of contenders, but the decision-making power lies with Usyk and Alalshikh. Tyson Fury is clamoring for a trilogy. The British giant, beaten twice, continues to push a “redemptive revenge” narrative, but he knows any deal must go through Saudi offices, where a third bout is already being mapped out for 2026. If Usyk agrees to an earlier date, it would be another blockbuster, likely guaranteeing a nine-figure purse.

Anthony Joshua, also defeated twice by Usyk, remains in the conversation more for his marketability than merit. A third fight in London could satisfy British fans and generate tens of millions, but his losses have dulled the shine of his once-dominant brand.

Sanctioning bodies are also making noise. The IBF is pushing for a bout with Derek Chisora, while the WBO has its sights on Joseph Parker, the patient New Zealander who earned his shot with a statement win over Zhilei Zhang.

But the most intriguing option is the one championed by Alalshikh himself: Moses Itauma. The young British prospect is just beginning his journey, but the Saudi mogul sees him as the future face of heavyweight boxing.

“I want to see Usyk against Itauma,” Alalshikh posted after Usyk’s latest win. It’s a generational clash, packaged for a global spectacle.

Even Agit Kabayel, the undefeated German and interim WBC champ, has thrown his name into the mix after victories in Riyadh over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Frank Sánchez. Still, his commercial appeal doesn’t quite match Saudi Arabia’s prime-time ambitions.

Usyk’s win over Dubois didn’t just cement his status as the world’s top heavyweight - it confirmed that boxing’s financial throne now resides in Saudi Arabia. The numbers tell the story: the fight generated over $200 million, with Usyk pocketing around 65% - more than $130 million, the biggest payday of his career.

In the past three years, boxing’s epicenter has shifted, and Alalshikh is the architect of this new landscape. From Riyadh, he orchestrates the sport’s biggest events, deepest pockets, and most pivotal dates. British stadiums may still pack fans, but the real money is signed in the Middle East.

No sanctioning body can override this reality. The IBF, WBO, or any other organization can mandate challengers, but without Saudi financial backing, no fight moves the multimillion-dollar machinery that Usyk and his rivals now expect.

At 38, Usyk has little left to prove. He ruled the cruiserweights, conquered the heavyweights, beat Joshua and Fury on their home turf, and etched his name into boxing legend.

If he chooses to end his career with one final bout, Itauma seems the likely pick: youth vs experience, future vs legacy, fueled by Saudi money and the allure of a “last dance.” If he opts for pure sporting merit, Parker or Kabayel are viable - though less commercially dazzling. And if he wants a grand farewell, the Fury trilogy is the marquee event for 2026.

For now, Usyk enjoys the most coveted power in boxing: absolute freedom.

He wants to rest. But in the Saudi-run boxing industry, rest never lasts long. And when Usyk returns, it’ll be on terms set by him - and Turki Alalshikh.

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