Oleksandr Usyk's manager shares brutally honest update on boxer's next move after beating Tyson Fury in rematch: "It'll be a very long preparation"

Oleksandr Usyk's manager recently shed light on the undefeated Ukrainian's next move after his triumphant rematch victory over Tyson Fury. Usyk capped off the 2024 calendar year with an run in the ring, achieving back-to-back historic victories over Fury.

In May, 'The Cat' earned a resolute split-decision victory over the Brit, making history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era since Lennox Lewis achieved the milestone in 1999. Fast forward to December, Usyk once again prevailed over 'The Gypsy King', this time delivering a dominant performance to claim a unanimous decision victory.

Following his latest victory, speculation is swirling in the combat sports world regarding Usyk's upcoming steps. Manager Egis Klimas, however, seems to have a sense of what his client may have in store for 2025.

During a recent interview with BoxingScene, Klimas shared that fans shouldn’t expect Usyk to resume training until the end of April, with his next fight likely taking place in July or August:

"It’ll be a very long preparation. After another 12 rounds with Fury, he needs a good, long recovery."

At Usyk's post-fight interview last month, Daniel Dubois stormed into the ring, demanding a rematch with 'The Cat'. Dubois, who is preparing to defend his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker, was advised by Klimas to focus on that upcoming bout first:

"Dubois has to beat Parker before he can even start thinking of [Usyk]."

Usyk's reign as the undisputed champion came to an abrupt halt when he was compelled to vacate his IBF title in June, a move that saw the belt pass into the hands of Dubois.

---

Was Oleksandr Usyk part of the Ukrainian armed forces?

Oleksandr Usyk reigns as the unified heavyweight champion, with a distinguished career that includes an Olympic gold medal and championships across multiple weight classes. However, a lesser-known aspect of his life is that 'The Cat' enlisted in the Ukrainian army in February 2022, amid the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

While in London, news broke of Russian troops crossing into Ukrainian territory, prompting Usyk to return to his family in Kyiv. The 37-year-old boxer made the voluntary decision to enlist in a territorial defense battalion.

However, in March 2023, Usyk left Ukraine to focus on training for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, a bout he won by split decision. He later revealed that it was the encouragement of his fellow Ukrainian soldiers that persuaded him to return to the ring and continue his boxing career.