‘Two or Three More Fights and Then I’ll Walk Away’ Oleksandr Usyk Opens Up on Retirement Plans

Usyk Shares How Many Battles Are Left in His Career and Who He’s Eyeing Next

Oleksandr Usyk has rejected the possibility of hanging up his gloves in the near future, declaring that he is likely to remain in the sport for at least another year.

The bona fide heavyweight king has not fought since his fifth-round stoppage victory over Daniel Dubois in July 2025 to become a three-time undisputed champion.

Usyk showed no interest in defending his crown against Wardley, who was upgraded from interim to full WBO champion – following his 11th-round finish over Joseph Parker – towards the end of last year.

Instead, the Ukrainian has expressed far more of a desire to face former world champion Deontay Wilder, with their respective teams having initiated negotiations for a showdown this year.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ ended a year-long layoff last June, stopping little-known heavyweight Tyrrell Herndon in round seven but still not looking like the formidable force he once was.

READ MORE : ‘Unbelievable Loss’: Oleksandr Usyk Mourns Death Of

Previous defeats to Parker and Zhilei Zhang already suggested that Wilder has been on a steady decline since losing his trilogy clash with Tyson Fury in 2021.

Usyk is nonetheless targeting the 40-year-old American for his eagerly-anticipated return later this year, while also insisting that he plans to have two or three more fights in total.

The 38-year-old said that much in a recent interview with Ring Magazine.

“I want fight with [The Bronze Bomber], Deontay Wilder. I want this fight, I think Deontay, too, [wants it to happen]. Okay, let’s go.

“I think [I’ll have] two [or] three fights more.”

‘Unbelievable Loss’: Oleksandr Usyk Mourns Death Of Anthony Joshua’s Associates In Accident

Undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk has expressed his shock and condolences following the tragic death of two associates of Anthony Joshua in an accident in Nigeria, which also left the former heavyweight champion injured

Oleksandr Usyk, who defeated Joshua twice to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, described the loss of the two men in the road crash as “unbelievable.”

In his statement, Usyk highlighted that the deceased were not only part of Joshua’s team but were also close friends. He extended his condolences to their families and loved ones, while also wishing Joshua a swift and full recovery.

“This is an unbelievable loss. @sina_evolve and @healthy_mindset were two incredible people who were not only part of AJ’s team, but also friends! My sincere condolences to their families, loved ones, and everyone who knew them. @anthonyjoshua – wishing you a speedy recovery. Stay strong, champion,” Usyk wrote in an Instagram story post.

Joshua was involved in a road accident in the Makun area of Ogun State in Nigeria on Monday. He was injured and lost two of his associates, Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami.

READ MORE :“First Option” Oleksandr Usyk Names His Top Targets for Next

The incident happened barely eight days after the former heavyweight world champion knocked out YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in their Netflix-backed bout in Miami.

In a statement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributed the accident to overspeeding and wrongful overtaking.

It said preliminary findings indicate that the Lexus Jeep, which was suspected to be travelling beyond the legally prescribed speed limit on the corridor, lost control during an overtaking manoeuvre and crashed into a stationary truck well packed by the side of the road.

“The primary causes of the crash, being excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, constitute serious traffic violations and remain among the leading causes of fatal road crashes on Nigerian highways,” FRSC said.

The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured victim, Joshua, a speedy recovery.

“Mega-Fight Brewing: Usyk’s Team Working Behind the Scenes on Wilder Clash”

Oleksandr Usyk vs Deontay Wilder is “very likely” manager confirms

Oleksandr Usyk’s team have revealed that their two-time undisputed heavyweight champion is “very likely” to face American Deontay Wilder next and have even named a potential date and location.

Manager Egis Klimas told The National in Dubai that, “a different group from the United States will promote Usyk’s next fight.”

Klimas continued, “It’s not official yet, so I cannot tell you. He might be fighting in the Riyadh season, but as far as right now, we don’t have any offers.”

He then revealed, “It’s very likely [we will see Usyk face Wilder].

“Because right now we’re working on it, and we’re working on some multi-fight agreement for Oleksandr.

“As soon as we’re going to confirm that, we’re going to jump in. And some talks already are going on with the team of Wilder.

“We’re looking at Las Vegas or Los Angeles, and dates are the end of April, beginning of May.

“Wilder is one of the best names [that] Oleksandr didn’t face yet. He’s still in good shape, and he’s still a fighter, so he’s interesting. And as well, it’s the United States.”

40-year-old Wilder is in the midst of a comeback campaign after losing four from his last five fights between 2020-2024. In June 2025, he came back to score his first victory since October 2022. The former long-reigning WBC world heavyweight champion knocked out unheralded Tyrell Herndon in seven rounds.

Usyk’s been reassuring everyone that he’s got “at least two more years.” Klimas backs that up, “He feels strong. It’s not time for him to hang up his gloves.”

Now 38, Usyk’s training camps are becoming harder for him, but his fifth-round demolition over powerful Brit Daniel Dubois shows he is still a sharp, potent force in the heavyweight division, with plenty left to give.

“First Option” Oleksandr Usyk Names His Top Targets for Next Heavyweight Clash – Deontay Wilder 

The Ukrainian stopped Londoner Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

Usyk, 38, then vacated his WBO belt, with Britain’s Fabio Wardley upgraded from ‘interim’ to full champion.

“I continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. I think it’s interesting,” he told Boxing King Media.

Wilder, a former WBC world champion and once the division’s most feared puncher, has struggled since his trilogy with Tyson Fury.

The American’s stock plummeted after back-to-back stoppage defeats by Joseph Parker in 2023 and Zhilei Zhang in 2024.

After more than a year out, Wilder, 40, returned in June with a low-key seventh-round stoppage of little-known Tyrrell Anthony Herndon.

READ MORE :Congratulation, Boxing Icon Ranks Oleksandr Usyk Among The

Despite that decline, Usyk still views ‘The Bronze Bomber’ as a marquee name.

“He is a world champion guy. A very famous and strong guy,” Usyk said.

“One of the great heavyweights of the last 10 years. I spoke with my team and said he is the first option.”

Oleksandr Usyk chose to vacate his WBO title rather than face mandatory challenger Wardley. He may still be able to fit in a voluntary defence with Wilder if an opponent is agreed quickly, with several mandatory challengers with other organisations already tied up.

WBC ‘interim’ champion Agit Kabayel meets Damian Knyba on 10 January, while the IBF has ordered Richard Torrez Jr to face Frank Sanchez in a final eliminator. WBA ‘regular’ champion Kubrat Pulev is scheduled to fight Murat Gassiev on 12 December.

Usyk – who has twice beaten Fury, Dubois and Anthony Joshua – has previously said he plans to fight for only two more years, aiming to return to the ring in 2026.

The Olympic gold medalist became undisputed champion at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight, where he outpointed Fury to become boxing’s first undisputed champion in 25 years.

“Usyk Gets the Green Light” – WBC Clears Heavyweight Champion for Voluntary Defense as Deontay Wilder Fight Looms 

Oleksandr Usyk has been granted the opportunity to make a voluntary defence of his WBC heavyweight title after saying he wanted to fight Deontay Wilder next.