On July 19, 2025, the boxing world was set ablaze at Wembley Stadium as Oleksandr Usyk delivered a masterclass performance, stopping Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to reclaim the undisputed heavyweight championship. The Ukrainian’s victory, witnessed by 90,000 fans, solidified his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats, becoming the first male boxer in the four-belt era to hold the undisputed heavyweight title three times. However, the post-fight spotlight was stolen by Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight champion, whose fiery reaction to the announced prize money and Usyk’s emotional retirement hints sparked widespread discussion.
The fight itself was a display of Usyk’s technical brilliance. From the opening bell, the 38-year-old Ukrainian showcased his superior footwork and precision, evading Dubois’ early aggression with ease. Dubois, the 27-year-old IBF champion, entered the bout with confidence after his stunning knockout of Anthony Joshua in September 2024. Yet, Usyk’s experience and ring IQ proved too much. In the fifth round, a perfectly timed right hook sent Dubois to the canvas, and a subsequent left hook ended the contest as Dubois failed to beat the count. The victory added the IBF belt to Usyk’s WBA, WBC, and WBO titles, cementing his legacy as a generational talent.
Post-fight, the boxing community was stunned when the total purse for the Usyk-Dubois rematch was revealed to be a staggering $203.5 million, with Usyk reportedly earning $132.28 million and Dubois securing $71.22 million. These figures, reported by Sports Illustrated, dwarfed previous heavyweight purses, including those from Usyk’s two fights against Fury in 2024, which saw Fury earn approximately $100 million and $75-84 million, respectively. Fury, who retired after his second loss to Usyk in December 2024, took to Instagram in a now-infamous expletive-laden rant, calling the purse distribution “a disgrace.” He argued that his contributions to the sport, including his high-profile bouts with Usyk, warranted a larger share than Dubois, whom he claimed he had “beaten twice” despite official scorecards stating otherwise.
Fury’s comments reignited debates about his rivalry with Usyk. The “Gypsy King” has maintained that he was robbed in both of their 2024 encounters, particularly the May fight, where Usyk won by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The December rematch saw Usyk secure a unanimous decision, prompting Fury’s retirement announcement in January 2025. However, Fury’s recent posts, including one announcing a trilogy fight with Usyk scheduled for April 18, 2026, at Wembley, suggest he is far from done with boxing. His insistence that he is the “only man” capable of defeating Usyk has kept fans and analysts speculating about a potential comeback.
Usyk, meanwhile, struck a different tone after his victory. Visibly emotional, he dedicated the win to his family, team, and the people of Ukraine, emphasizing his desire to rest for “two or three months” with his wife and four children in Kyiv. When pressed about his future, Usyk playfully listed potential opponents, including Fury, Anthony Joshua, Derek Chisora, and Joseph Parker. His mention of retirement, however, sent shockwaves through the sport. At 38, Usyk insisted, “Thirty-eight is only the start,” but his comments about wanting to prioritize family life led many to wonder if the Dubois fight might have been his final masterpiece.
The heavyweight division now faces an uncertain future. Dubois, despite the loss, remains a formidable contender with options for high-profile fights against Joshua, Parker, or rising stars like Moses Itauma. Fury’s potential return could lead to a blockbuster trilogy with Usyk or a long-awaited clash with Joshua, which promoter Eddie Hearn has called “the biggest British fight ever.” For Usyk, the choice is his: continue his reign as the undisputed king or step away as an undefeated legend.
As the dust settles on Wembley, the boxing world is left grappling with Fury’s outspoken grievances, Usyk’s dominance, and the sport’s evolving financial landscape. The $203.5 million purse underscores the growing influence of Saudi-backed events, with figures like Turki Alalshikh shaping the sport’s future. Whether Fury’s planned return materializes or Usyk chooses to hang up his gloves, this moment will be remembered as a pivotal chapter in heavyweight boxing history.