Next Oleksandr Usyk fight among five fights we NEED to see in 2025

Turki Al-Sheikh’s emergence as the most powerful figure in boxing has transformed the sport’s landscape, with once-frustrated fans now spoiled as the best fighters face each other at unprecedented regularity.

With leading promoters lured by a seemingly bottomless pit of cash to squash their beef and work as one, boxing is enjoying a boom period. There have already been several mega-fights in 2025, including Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn, Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II and the Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano trilogy.

This year’s biggest fight is still to come as Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez battles Terrence Crawford in a fantasy bout involving two modern pound-for-pound greats, but boxing fans are nothing if not greedy, so we have picked out five more massive fights we need to see happen before the end of this year…

Oleksandr Usyk vs Joseph Parker/Agit Kabayel

Suggestions that Father Time would catch up with Usyk when he rematched Daniel Dubois in July 2025 at Wembley Stadium were quashed mere seconds into their second bout, with the two-weight and three-time undisputed champion putting on a boxing clinic to dismantle his opponent with ease.

As he did against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, Usyk beat Dubois more convincingly in their rematch than in their first meeting, using his elite footwork and hand speed to take control of the contest and stop the Brit without receiving any punishment.

This means the 38-year-old should be fit and ready for another fight before the end of this year, with two obvious candidates to be his next opponent.

Usyk has nothing left to prove in boxing, but the lover of an away day has never ducked a challenge, with Parker or Kabayel equally deserving of the next shot at the Ukrainian following their respective great runs of form.

In an ideal world of boxing free from politics, Parker and Kabayel (in any order) would be Usyk’s next two opponents as they appear the likeliest of the current crop of heavyweights to give the champion a very tough fight, though the tens of millions on offer for another bash at Fury will be hard to ignore.

MORE BOXING ON STUFF365…

👉 Tyson Fury’s next fight options: Oleksandr Usyk or Anthony Joshua?
👉 Anthony Joshua’s next fight options: The one US big-hitter he needs to face before retirement

Ryan Garcia vs Devin Haney II

The Garcia-Haney rivalry is also deserving of a rematch after their first fight was one of boxing’s biggest events in 2024.

Each man is a big star in their own right, but Garcia was the main reason for their first fight being such a success, as he appeared to go through a very public meltdown during the build-up and missed weight before dropping Haney three times en route to a stunning upset victory on points.

Before the fight, the overwhelming verdict was that Haney’s supposed superior boxing skills and Garcia’s mental turmoil would make it a one-sided contest.

And it was but in favour of the unexpected victor, whose triumph was subsequently undermined by failed drug tests on the day before and day of the fight.

Garcia’s majority decision win was turned into a no contest, and he was given a heavy fine and a one-year ban. This, unsurprisingly, has angered Haney and his team, so the bad blood remains ahead of their eagerly anticipated rematch.

This rematch may not be next as Haney could face Brian Norman Jr, while Garcia is coming off a loss to Rolly Romero, but Garcia vs Haney II is the fight that needs to be the priority. Barring Canelo vs Crawford, it’s arguably the biggest bout to make in the United States right now.

Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn II

Following a box-office build-up involving a drug scandal, a smashed egg and a huge fine for missing weight, it was a relief that Eubank Jr vs Benn delivered in the ring as the two sons lived up to their family names in a remarkable contest.

It was not the most skilful fight you are ever likely to see, but the two bitter enemies laid it all on the line in an all-out slugfest as they went hell for leather over a breathless 12 rounds to earn the admiration of boxing fans around the world.

Eubank Jr was the deserved victor as he edged out Benn on points, but a rematch was inevitable from the closing bell and was initially pencilled in for September 2025.

However, nothing has ever been simple during this saga, so it’s only right that their rematch was thrust into doubt as Eubank Jr, citing a niggle and lack of preparation, pulled out of the September date, forcing a U-turn with plans pushed back to November.

Their first fight had no right to be that good, and the rematch should follow the same theme in another fight of the year contender for fans to lap up, while there is surely too much money on the table for the fighters to prevent it from happening.

Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev III

Bivol-Beterbiev is 1-1 after two fights, so you know what that means…

Former super-middleweight world champion David Benavidez appears to be the next in line to dominate at light heavyweight, but Bivol and Beterbiev have spent years sharing a seat at the peak of the division as other contenders have tried and failed to dethrone them.

Promotional and sporting politics separated Bivol and Beterbiev before Al-Sheikh stepped in to make the two standout light heavyweights of this era battle it out for undisputed status as part of Riyadh Season.

So far, Bivol and Beterbiev have shared the ring for 24 breathtaking rounds of boxing and could barely be separated with a win apiece.

All parties are yet to come to terms on a trilogy bout after the rematch in February 2025, and it would be an immense shame if there is not a rubber stamp placed on this great rivalry.

Jai Opetaia vs Gilberto Ramirez

We also need to find out who is the best cruiserweight in the world, with the long overdue unification bout between Opetaia and ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez surely edging closer.

In truth, this fight should have already happened as it needed to take precedence while each man ticked off mandatory challengers to keep their belts. Still, all will be forgiven should it happen next and preferably before the end of this year.

Opetaia has already beaten the fallen great Mairis Briedis twice, while Ramirez has come into his own at cruiserweight after falling way short in his only professional loss to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight in November 2022.

Badou Jack and Yves Ngabu are the other current world champions at cruiserweight, but they are the beneficiaries of circumstance and would be no match for Opetaia or Ramirez if either man braved a unification bout, so undisputed status would become an inevitability for whoever comes out victorious from the current best fight to make in this division.