Oleksandr Usyk is targeting a return in the first half of 2026 with Saturday's winner of Joseph Parker-Fabio Wardley the front-runner for a shot at the world heavyweight champion, Usyk’s advisor, Serhii Lapin, tells The Ring.

Whoever emerges victorious Saturday in London will be the WBO mandatory for Usyk, one of four titles the Ukrainian owns in addition to The Ring’s heavyweight championship.

The WBO is next in the rotation system used for unified champions, and the mandatory defense was ordered in July but delayed due to Usyk’s back injury.

Lapin said Usyk’s recovery from the back injury is “going great” after he recently competed a “rehabilitation camp.”

“He feels good and in excellent shape,” Lapin said.

Usyk, 38, was noncommittal about fighting again after he stopped Daniel Dubois a second time in July, but last week said he planned to fight until age 41.

Lapin believes Usyk has perhaps five more fights remaining, but that a third fight with Tyson Fury isn’t likely one of them.

The Gypsy King has been pushed for a trilogy bout next year after losing twice to Usyk in 2024, but Lapin doesn’t see any reason for such a bout. After all, Usyk is 2-0 against Fury and the rematch was more decisive than the first meeting.

”Theoretically, it’s an interesting option, but for whom?” Lapin asked. “If boxing fans truly support it, then maybe. However, in my opinion, that chapter is already closed.”

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) made headlines when he appeared to rule out a future fight with rising star Moses Itauma, but Lapin said the matchup is a possibility - just not right now.

Itauma, 20, is unproven at this juncture. He’s coming off a first-round TKO of Dillian Whyte in August. And while he’s clearly talented and many believe the next great heavyweight, he’ll need to prove it against a legitimate top-10 heavyweight before Usyk considers him.

“I wouldn’t say he doesn’t want to fight Itauma,” Lappin said. “He’s a promising fighter, and his team has done a good job bringing him to this level and ranking. But if we analyze the heavyweight division, besides Usyk, there are plenty of top fighters.

“Itauma still needs a serious test before facing a legend. Have we seen him go the full 12-round distance? Has has been in dangerous situations in the ring? My answer is no. At this stage, he doesn’t have the tools to beat Usyk.”