The heavyweight division has an undisputed king: Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian reaffirmed his dominance by knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their highly anticipated rematch, securing the undisputed heavyweight title for the second time in his career.

With this victory, Usyk now holds two wins over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Dubois himself. Few challenges remain for the Ukrainian, and his former promoter has hinted that retirement might be near.

However, his team has other plans. While Joseph Parker is rumored to be the next opponent, Sergey Lapin, Usyk’s team director, suggested the possibility of a fight against another former world champion.

Usyk vs. Wilder? The possibility heats up

Lapin has publicly backed a potential matchup against Deontay Wilder, the explosive former champion from Alabama, who recently returned to the ring with a knockout over Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.

In statements to World Boxing News, Lapin said:

“A fight with Wilder is potentially possible, but it depends on the circumstances. For now, he’s not even a mandatory contender.”

Wilder is considered one of the most fearsome punchers in boxing history, with 43 of his 44 victories coming by knockout. A single punch from him can change the course of a fight, and Usyk’s team is well aware. Lapin added:

“Wilder remains one of the most powerful, but he’s at a crossroads. Still, it would be a mistake to count him out. He’s unpredictable, and that makes him very dangerous.”

Beyond the sporting risk, Wilder remains a major draw, and a fight against Usyk would undoubtedly generate massive global interest.

Other challengers on the horizon?

Despite Wilder’s appeal, he’s no longer among the top heavyweights. While he retains his popularity, other contenders with legitimate credentials are waiting for their shot at Usyk.

Joseph Parker appears to lead the pack. He’s coming off a knockout victory over Martin Bakole in February and is currently the WBO mandatory challenger. Initially, he was set to face Dubois, but the Brit pulled out at the last minute, and Bakole stepped in.

Despite his position, Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, noted there’s been no concrete progress with Usyk’s team:

“The last time I spoke to Frank Warren, he told me there’s been no movement. That was a couple of days ago.”

Another name in the mix is Agit Kabayel, who raised his profile by knocking out Zhilei Zhang in February, proving he has what it takes to compete at the elite level.

Will Usyk opt for the spectacle of a fight with Wilder, or will he choose to defend his titles against an official contender like Parker or Kabayel? The table is set, and whichever path he chooses will have significant implications for the future of the heavyweight division.