Serhii Lapin, a counselor to Oleksandr Usyk, indicated that his athlete is slated to compete sometime during the initial six months of 2026.
Usyk’s Ailing Back Recovers
Usyk (24 wins, 0 losses, 15 wins by knockout), the current undisputed heavyweight titleholder, is reportedly experiencing improved health after undergoing rehabilitation for a back ailment. This injury occurred subsequent to his fifth-round knockout victory against Daniel Dubois in their contest held on July 19, 2025.
Upon Usyk’s return to the ring in 2026, he is expected to defend his four championship belts against the victor of the upcoming match between WBO mandatory challenger Joseph Parker and WBA interim champion Fabio Wardley. These two fighters are scheduled to headline a DAZN PPV event on October 25 at the O2 Arena in London.
Parker has been awaiting his opportunity to vie for the title, as the WBO had previously mandated that Usyk defend his title against him following his triumph over Dubois on July 24, 2025. However, Usyk’s back injury prevented him from fulfilling this mandatory defense. Consequently, Parker opted to remain active by engaging in a PPV fight against Wardley.
The Parker–Wardley Nexus
“He is aiming for the first half of 2026 to face the victor of this Saturday’s clash between Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley. That will determine the WBO mandatory challenger,” boxing expert Mike Coppinger conveyed to InsideRingShow.
“Parker was initially ordered to fight Usyk in July, but Usyk sustained a back injury. He is now feeling well, according to [Usyk’s adviser Serhii] Lapin. He has concluded his rehabilitation, is in excellent condition, and prepared to proceed,” Coppinger commented regarding Oleksandr.
This information elevates the significance of Saturday’s Parker vs. Wardley bout, as the winner will be vying for the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles, currently held by Usyk, in the first half of the coming year.
Eddy Pronishev’s Opinion: Time Is Not an Ally for Usyk
Nevertheless, it remains premature to definitively determine whether Usyk will regain sufficient health to return to active competition by 2026. He will be approaching his 39th birthday on January 17. Should his back remain problematic, the possibility of other unforeseen complications cannot be disregarded.
Eddy Pronishev has been covering the sport since 2012, known for his deep technical breakdowns, sharp industry insight, and no-nonsense analysis of boxing’s biggest fights and promoters.
