Joshua, Fury & Dubois - a look at the heavyweight landscape

Daniel Dubois v Joseph Parker will be the first heavyweight world title fight of 2025

The heavyweight division is poised to steal the boxing headlines again in 2025.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk dominated the attention last year, while Londoner Daniel Dubois emerged as the best of the rest with a stellar 12 months.

With the first big encounter of the year in the men's code on Saturday between IBF champion Dubois and Joseph Parker, BBC Sport looks at the heavyweight landscape as it stands.

Which fights do we know are happening?

The biggest fight on the horizon is obviously Dubois-Parker. That bout will have big implications on what is next for the heavyweight division.

The winner, and the loser, will have no shortage of options.

Elsewhere, Dillian Whyte fights Joe Joyce on 5 April. That fight night also includes the professional debut of 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 event, 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 returns to action on 20 April against Ebenezer Tetteh.

Is Fury really retired?

This is the big question that continues to be asked. Fury caught everyone off guard when he announced his retirement last month, but there seem to be very few among the boxing fraternity that believe him.

Fabio Wardley, who intends to take the WBA route to a world title shot this year, says it is virtually "impossible" to predict what 36-year-old Fury will ultimately decide.

"Fury will probably wake up tomorrow morning and think about giving it another go and then go to bed having changed his mind," he said.

"I'm not entirely convinced that he's done but if he's finished, he has given us a great career and a fantastic record of fights to look back on."

What will Joshua & Usyk do next?

Joshua, like many of his rivals, is biding his time. One thing we do know is the two-time heavyweight champion will carry on fighting after being knocked out by Dubois last September.

He has endless options, including Martin Bakole or Wilder, but it seems Joshua will focus his attention on fighting Fury or the winner of Dubois-Parker.

But it seems he will have competition because WBA, WBC, and WBO champion Usyk has said he would also want to fight the winner.

Should Parker beat Dubois, Joshua would certainly not turn down the chance to become a three-time world champion against an opponent he has already beaten while Dubois would likely prioritise a rematch with Usyk over Joshua should he retain his title.

At 35, Joshua is in the latter stages of his career, but Wardley is convinced he can "reach the heights" he once did.

"He isn't done yet," Wardley said.

"Regardless of whether is Fury or not, there is more to give. There's more to prove to other people rather than more to achieve, maybe.

"He has done everything you can think of but in our own brains, us boxers are not always the most methodical.

"A lot of us make decisions on heart and instinct, and in his soul he may feel there is more to his career and legacy."

As for Usyk, the 38-year-old has said he expects to fight just twice more before retiring.

It appears to rule out a mooted return to cruiserweight to face the big-hitting Jai Opetaia, but don't expect any quick decisions from the Ukrainian.

What is the next heavyweight fight on the horizon?

The next big fight will likely be decided by the outcome of Dubois' title defence.

A win for Dubois could lead towards a fight with Usyk, and another opportunity for a Briton to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

A victory for Parker would derail those plans and open the door to a huge rematch, either against Dubois or Joshua.

It seems unlikely Usyk will be able to hold on to all three of his belts and a scattering of the titles would open the doors to a host of fights and potential new champions.

Elsewhere there are plenty of fights to make. Derek Chisora's final fight, Wardley and Itauma's next move and a perhaps rematch between Johnny Fisher and Dave Allen.

Clarke remains a dangerous prospect while the outcome of Whyte v Joyce could have a big impact on the division.

"The future in heavyweight boxing across the world is bright, but especially in the UK," Wardley said.

"We have Daniel, myself and Moses [Itauma] - it looks like we will have a strong grip on the division for the next coming years.

"It can be one of those golden eras where we all muck in, fight and get stuck in."