5 Burning Questions: The Aftermath of Boxing’s First Quarter
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In the aftermath of boxing’s first quarter, the sport finds itself at a pivotal moment. Major title fights, upsets, and controversial decisions have set the stage for what’s to come in the months ahead. Several divisions are experiencing shake-ups, and rising contenders are knocking on the door, making the landscape primed for intriguing matchups that could shape the remainder of the year.
From the heavyweight division, where Oleksandr Usyk continues to reign supreme, to the ongoing debate over what’s next for stars like Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson… There’s no shortage of compelling storylines. With each major fight comes the inevitable question: What’s next?
As we break down five burning questions surrounding the sport’s biggest names, let’s examine the possible paths that could define the rest of 2025 in boxing:
#1. What should be next for Oleksandr Usyk?
Lee’s Take:
Alongside his wins over Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Oleksandr Usyk holds a ninth-round stoppage win over the reigning IBF heavyweight champ Daniel Dubois. As things stand, there is simply no denying his supremacy within the division. With Dubois pulling out of his fight with Joseph Parker, I see Usyk fighting Parker next. Since Usyk already beat Dubois, a fresh matchup against Parker would be more appealing.
Usyk has been surprisingly successful at heavyweight despite regularly being the smaller man. His speed, footwork, and tenacity, have all lent to him being able to beat bigger competition. Parker ran through Martin Bakole inside two rounds to become the mandatory challenger for Usyk’s WBO belt. The only roadblock for Usyk vs. Parker is Dubois is free to select his next opponent as there is no mandatory challenger for his IBF title.
Evan’s Take:
I don’t mind the Joseph Parker pick from Lee at all. If anyone deserves a shot at Usyk, it’s Parker. Especially given his last three wins are over Deontay Wilder, Martin Bakole, and Zhilei Zhang. However, I’m going to go with the Daniel Dubois rematch. Although Dubois was forced to pull out of the fight with Parker last month, he’s the more intriguing and dangerous opponent of the two. I’d also argue his last three victories, against Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, and Jarrell Miller, all coming by way of stoppages, are more impressive than the wins Parker has most recently obtained.
Plus, the first Dubois-Usyk matchup had some controversy surrounding it. The British berserker landed a body shot in the fifth round that forced Oleksandr to take a knee. But, the strike was deemed a low blow by referee Luis Pabon. Many have debated that the punch was a legal shot, and the ruling from Pabon impacted the momentum of the fight. Between that narrative, and Dubois’ resurgence, I feel a rematch with him would be Usyk’s best option currently.
#2. What should be next for Artur Beterbiev & Dmitry Bivol?
Lee’s Take:
Dmitry Bivol became the undisputed light heavyweight champion with a narrow majority decision victory in a rematch against Artur Beterbiev. The first fight was also closely contested, but Bivol finished stronger this time. Should a trilogy fight be next, or would a matchup against secondary champion David Benavidez be more appealing? A third bout makes sense, especially after both fighters have had some time to rest and recover. The initial encounter showcased a technical and skillful display of boxing, while the rematch was brutal, heated, and action-packed.
While Bivol has other options—like Benavidez or a rematch with Canelo Alvarez—this rivalry is primed for a third and final showdown. With 24 rounds already in the books, it would be a missed opportunity to leave the record at 1-1.
Evan’s Take:
I’ve got no issues at all with seeing the Beterbiev-Bivol trilogy next. As Lee pointed out, their first two fights were incredibly tactical, yet brutal battles. They could fight 1,000 times and I feel it will always be extremely competitive. We’re talking about two truly all-time greats. If that’s the direction we ended up going for both, I’m fully on board.
With that being said, I’m personally more interested in seeing Bivol face David Benavidez next. Given their sparring history and the clash of styles, it’s just a matchup I’m really curious to watch. Dmitry’s slickness against David’s relentless downhill offensive onslaught, would be phenomenal theater to watch. I’d also love to see Bivol take the Benavidez matchup to spite Turki Alalshikh, and hurt his ego a little bit. His persistent intimidation towards fighters, acting like he can force them into fights, has become nauseating.
#3. What should be next for Keyshawn Davis?
Lee’s Take:
While Davis has everything to lose, Frank Martin should be the next opponent to face him. Although Martin is coming off a KO loss to Tank Davis, he should be able to hold his own against him. They are similar in size and punching power.
The two have exchanged trash talk in the past when they crossed paths. Both fighters are still early in their careers and have a lot to prove. Given his champion status, people would expect Keyshawn to win. But, a win for Martin would solidify his position in the lightweight ranks. Count me in for this fight.
Evan‘s Take:
I believe Keyshawn Davis is the brightest young star in American boxing currently. I also think he’s the most talented fighter of the loaded group at 135 and 140 pounds. Frank Martin would actually feel like a step backwards for Davis. He deserves more of a prominent, big name opponent than Martin. The Lomachenko fight would make a lot of sense, given their respective connections to Top Rank. He could face either Shakur Stevenson or Gervonta Davis in what would be mega fights. But, both will be difficult to make right now for various reasons.
So, Davis should move up to 140, and take on Teofimo Lopez. Keyshawn has the size to compete at that weight, and the story with Teofimo already builds hype for a possible meeting. The rivalry between them has been brewing for years now. It has entered some ugly territory with Lopez’s insistence on inserting racism into it. Given their technical ability and skill level, combined with the natural disdain for one another, a Davis-Lopez fight could be one of the biggest grudge matches of this era.
#4. What should be next for Gervonta Davis & Lamont Roach Jr.?
Lee’s Take:
Gervonta Davis escaped with a majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in a tougher-than-expected fight. It was a performance that left fans scratching their heads. Questions regarding what is next for one of the biggest stars in boxing have already surfaced. Right now, the waters are kind of muddy for his next opponent. Roach deserves another shot at Davis. That being said, the champ needs to fight someone viewed on the same level as him. He has a few options: Vasiliy Lomachenko, Keyshawn Davis, or Alberto Puello.
On the other hand, Lamont Roach Jr. has options. He can answer the phone when Shakur’s representatives call or patiently wait for a rematch with Davis. Roach Jr. should move forward with his career, if that means a fight with Shakur or adding another belt to his collection. Emanuel Navarette, WBO junior lightweight champ, would be a nice matchup for him at 130 lbs. Challenging Navarrette would be a smart move being that it would be his first step in unifying the titles.
Evan’s Take:
I’m 100 percent with Lee, the future surrounding Tank is extremely murky following his performance against Lamont Roach Jr. I also agree that he needs to start facing opponents with the same star power as he does, and who are legitimate threats to him. That being said, I’m not sure how the rematch with Lamont isn’t his next fight.
There’s no clear path forward for Davis right now, other than that. Plus, with all the controversy, chaos, and confusion surrounding their first meeting earlier this month, the demand for a second matchup has never been higher. Roach Jr. was flat-out robbed of a victory due to the incompetence of referee Steve Willis and the New York State Athletic Commission. He outclassed Davis, particularly in the second half of the fight, and deserves the chance to right that wrong. This is also an opportunity for Tank to silence his critics at a time when his abilities have never been questioned more.
Between his puzzling antics during fight week, constant retirement talk, and lackluster performance in the ring, I’m not sure how Gervonta moves forward without redeeming himself in a rematch with Lamont. The Baltimore product’s stock has never been lower, and his resume will always carry a stain if he doesn’t face Roach Jr. again.
#5. What should be next for Shakur Stevenson?
Lee’s Take
Shakur Stevenson defeated Josh Padley in a defense of his WBC lightweight title, sparking questions over his next fight. He has said, “Three [fights in 2025]…Lomachenko and then Tank.” Lomachenko is currently inactive, and Tank has shown no interest in a Stevenson fight. Shakur should be trying to unify titles at this point in his career.
William Zepeda is the clear choice here, though it may not be the popular one. Shakur should target a fight with his mandatory opponent, who boasts an undefeated 30-0 record. The two were initially scheduled to face off, but Zepeda’s arm injury caused the bout to fall through. This matchup would offer an intriguing contrast of styles, and more importantly, Zepeda holds the WBC interim title. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to settle their unfinished business.
Evan‘s Take:
I really like Lee’s idea of the Zepeda matchup, it makes a lot of sense. It has been talked about for a long time from both fighters, and their camps. Although, similar to Keyshawn Davis, I feel Shakur deserves an opponent of a greater status and challenge than that. I’d rather see him face either Vasiliy Lomachenko or Lamont Roach Jr. next. The Lomachenko fight is one that also has been building for years. It could be a passing of the torch moment in the sport. Having boxing’s arguably two best defensive dynamos finally share the ring together would be a hell of a chess match to watch play out.
The Roach Jr. scrap is the more intriguing matchup of the two for me though. If Lamont gets snubbed of the rematch with Tank, fighting Shakur seems like a great alternative. His stock has only gone up, despite the result of the draw with Davis. I believe he has the savvy to give all these top names at 135 problems. On the flip side, it’s a chance for Shakur to impress against an opponent Gervonta struggled with. An empathic win over Roach Jr. would provide Stevenson with some much needed leverage towards his bitter rival at the negotiating table for a future fight.
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