Reigning undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is eyeing a comeback in the first half of 2026, with the winner of Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley positioned as the frontrunner for his next defense, adviser Serhii Lapin told The Ring.
Without a doubt under the rotation for unified champions, the WBO mandatory is due next. The defense was ordered in July but postponed while Usyk recovered from a back injury. Saturday’s Parker–Wardley victor in London will be installed as the mandatory challenger for one of Usyk’s four sanctioning belts alongside The Ring championship.
ud835udde1ud835uddd8ud835uddeaud835udde6: Oleksandr Usyk’s advisor, Serhii Lapin, has revealed that Usyk plans to fight around 5 more times before retiringu203cufe0f
— Source of Boxing (@Sourceofboxing) October 21, 2025
Rehab on Track
Lapin says Usyk’s recovery is “going great” following a recent rehabilitation camp.