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‘Let’s see who the best is’: Frank Warren opens the door to Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title return
Unbeaten heavyweight great Oleksandr Usyk was the undisputed champion but vacated all his belts; He is though expected to return next year for a final fight and if he wants to reclaim a world title, promoter Frank Warren urges him to "come and see us" for a top-level fight
Saturday 17 October 2026 07:05, UK
Oleksandr Usyk could go straight into a world title fight on his return to boxing.
The unbeaten Ukrainian was the undisputed heavyweight champion but vacated all his belts and isn't expected to box again until next year.
But if he is planning a 'last dance' bout, promoter Frank Warren could provide a top-level opponent.
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Warren promotes WBC champion Agit Kabayel, WBO heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois and also represents Tyson Fury, who stands to win the WBA 'super' belt if can beat Anthony Joshua in December.
Usyk has beaten Fury and Dubois before, though a trilogy bout with either could still become a major fight.
Taking on Kabayel for the WBC crown at a stadium in Germany could also be appealing.
"I'll take that fight [for Kabayel], I wouldn't mind that fight," Warren told Sky Sports.
"Any of them," the promoter continued. "There are some great fights to be made and we'll make them.
"He can do what he likes," Warren said of Usyk, "but if he wants to fight one of these guys, then come and see us. It's not hard for us to do. We've worked together on quite a few occasions now, we got on very well and we've delivered.
"He'll want to be at the top so he'll want to fight the best ones so let's see who it is."
Dubois came unstuck on the previous occasions he fought Usyk. But he came roaring back to defeat Fabio Wardley in a thriller to win the WBO heavyweight title. If he can score a repeat victory over Wardley in their rematch at The O2 Arena in London, Dubois will look to take over next year as the best heavyweight in the world.
"That's the aim, that's our objective," Dubois' trainer Don Charles told Sky Sports. "It would be foolish of me to overlook Saturday.
"Fabio's a serious, serious fighter. A very determined fighter. He's ambitious, quite rightly so and he's a former world champion.
"He's going to do everything in his physical make up and desire to try and recapture his title and it's down to us say no you can't have it, we're having it for keeps."
