Everybody wants Usyk - what next for the heavyweights?

"Who's next? How can I fight for the world title next? If [Oleksandr] Usyk wants a dance partner next, then we can get Uncle Frank [Warren] in here."

Those were the words of Joseph Parker after he dispatched Martin Bakole inside two rounds in Saudi Arabia.

With the New Zealander losing his chance at becoming a two-time world champion when IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois withdrew through illness, Parker took the opportunity to put himself in the frame to fight WBC, WBA (Super) and WBO king Oleksandr Usyk.

Dubois' illness could have a huge impact on the heavyweight scene with the Briton now eyeing an undisputed clash with Ukraine's Usyk.

But Usyk is not short of challengers and it seems everyone is lining up to fight him.

Despite not looking to instantly avenge his brutal knockout by Dubois back in September 2024, Anthony Joshua remains on the scene and still has ambitions on becoming a three-time champion.

BBC Sport looks at the heavyweight landscape after a week or shocks and a night of knockouts.

According to Dubois' promoter, Queensberry's Frank Warren, the heavyweight was devastated to be pulled from the Parker bout. It would have been Dubois' second defence and he was due to earn a massive purse. He keeps his belt of course.

But while one door closes, another might have opened for Dubois.

We had thought the 28-year-old, should he have beaten Parker, would push for a rematch with Usyk. Considering the boxing schedule and recovery time, it could have been quite the wait but now the Briton's next fight could be the undisputed meeting with the 38-year-old Usyk.

With no mandatory challenger currently listed for Dubois' IBF title, he remains free to select his next opponent and Usyk has already said he wants to do it.

It would be heartbreak for Parker, 33, who has spent nearly seven years fighting his way back towards a world title fight.

Bakole, who is ranked number three with the IBF, was set to fight Efe Ajagba on 2 May but that fight is now in doubt after his second-round stoppage loss to Parker.

This really is the big question - what does Usyk want to do?

The unified WBA (Super), WBO and WBC champion has earned the right to call the shots at heavyweight and if he says he wants to fight Dubois in May, then that is likely to happen.

Usyk says he only envisions two more fights in his career, which means only the biggest names would be entertained. Usyk has made a brilliant career of breaking British hearts and he would probably like to end his career as undisputed champion, once more.

Germany's Agit Kabayel may also want to throw his name in the hat after he maintained his number one ranking with the WBC by becoming the first man to stop China's Zhilei Zhang.

The withdrawal of Dubois throws a bit of spanner in the works for Joshua. He was campaigning to fight the winner but now Dubois is unlikely to give his compatriot a look in with Usyk on his radar.

Joshua, 35, has made no secret of his desire to be a three-time world champion and he will probably get at least one more shot at that goal. Who would it be against?

Should Usyk v Dubois happen next, it is very possible the belts will scatter after that considering how complicated it is to hold four titles at once in a busy division. That could give Joshua the opportunity he craves - possibly by the end of the year.

Or, could Joshua be thrown into a rematch with Parker with the winner earning a title shot? The possibilities are endless.

Dillian Whyte fights Joe Joyce on 5 April. That fight night also includes the professional debut of Olympian Delicious Orie and an intriguing contest between Lawrence Okolie and Richard Riakporhe.

The seasoned cruiserweights face off in what is unlikely to reveal much about their capabilities at heavyweight, but is set to be a fascinating bout considering the beef between the two rivals.

Moses Itauma, who only turned 20 in December, is expected to be added to that card, but one fight that isn't happening is Deontay Wilder's imminent return. After many whispers, Wilder's team has cooled talk of a comeback for now.

Frazer Clarke will return to action on 20 April against Ebenezer Tetteh while a potential rematch between Johnny Fisher and David Allen is yet to be announced.

Fabio Wardley is also expected to be back in action soon.