Carl Frampton and Tony Bellew reveal what Oleksandr Usyk should do next after Daniel Dubois rematch

Former world champions Carl Frampton and Tony Bellew have differing views on what Oleksandr Usyk’s next steps should be if the Ukrainian manages to defeat Daniel Dubois next weekend. 

Usyk faces Dubois for a second time on Saturday July 19, live on DAZN, with all four major belts at heavyweight up for grabs.  

Previously undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, Frampton and Bellew discussed whether Usyk had anything else to prove on First Round TV’s The Debate. 

Frampton was of the opinion that while he would likely retire if he was in Usyk’s shoes, the temptation of defeating another former world champion in the form of Joseph Parker was something that the Ukrainian may consider. 

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Frampton shared: “If this guy wins, he’s literally done it all. Maybe Parker is probably one, and knowing him he probably will. But if I was him, what he’s done at cruiserweight, what he’s done at heavyweight, he’s cleaned out all the top guys, minus Joe Parker, because he hasn’t had the opportunity yet." 

He added: “I love big Joe, but you’d have to favour Usyk in a fight against Joe. But for me, if I'm Usyk, I’d get out.” 

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Bellew’s view is that Usyk has already considered retirement, based on an interaction he had with his former opponent in 2024. 

Bellew dropped back down to cruiserweight after his heavyweight foray in 2018, facing Usyk for all four belts at 200lbs. Usyk found an eighth-round stoppage to defeat the Scouser, in what proved to be Bellew’s last fight. 

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Having himself gone from cruiserweight to heavyweight and back down to 200lbs, Bellew does not think that Usyk’s body would be capable of making weight at a lighter class. 

“I interviewed him, he asked me to interview him so I interviewed him on the London Eye,” Bellew explained. He asked me a couple of questions – I asked him first what’s left, and he said two more fights. Then he asked me, ‘How’s retirement? What’s it like?’ That tells me, it’s in his mind." 

He added: “He knows it’s coming. He now understands he can’t ever go back down to cruiserweight. He said that in an interview before he first fought Tyson Fury that he wanted to go back down and reign again, but he now understands there’s no way his body could do it.” 

Usyk vs Dubois 2 only on DAZN

Watch Usyk versus Dubois 2 live and exclusive on DAZN PPV on Saturday, July 19 for £24.99 UK; $59.99 US; $19.99/equivalent ROW. Buy the PPV now here.