Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed he will fight on despite, in the eyes of many, ‘completing boxing.’
The Ukrainian southpaw has been undisputed at both cruiser and heavyweight, beating such names as Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury along the way.
Still undefeated in 23 fights, many felt that Usyk’s second victory over Fury in December 2024 was the perfect time to walk away from the sport, with a place in the history books and International Boxing Hall of Fame all but confirmed.
READ: “He’s Finished”: Oleksandr Usyk Says Former Heavyweight Champion Should Not Make A Comeback
However, the 38-year-old plans on returning at least once more, with a key goal of becoming two-time undisputed in the heavyweight ranks. He holds three of the four major belts after vacating the IBF last year, which was picked up by Daniel Dubois and is defended against Joseph Parker later this month.
The winner will most likely look for the clash with Usyk, however continuing reports of a return for former long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko could throw a spanner in the works. The 48-year-old, also from Ukraine, has made it clear that he is interested in breaking George Foreman’s record as the oldest heavyweight titlist in history and was even in early discussions with Dubois before the Parker fight was announced.
TalkSPORT recently reported that Usyk was ‘planning’ a fight with his countryman, stemming from an interview conducted with promoter Alex Krassyuk. However, Krassyuk was instead suggesting Klitschko could face the winner of Dubois vs Parker, and cleared up the situation when speaking to IFL TV.
“No. This is what I can say for sure, Usyk and Klitschko will never step into the same ring. Never, ever. No chance whatsoever. Not even a single thought about it.”
Klitschko of course feels the same way, recently telling the Ring Magazine:
“Look, I’ve been always ready, I’ve been always training, I’ve been always ready and still [am]. And you just said this word rumours, those rumours being for a long time since my retirement and I mentioned that as well to break George Foreman’s record, that would be something that is really exciting.
With Oleksandr Usyk, could you imagine two Ukrainians gonna fight each other, he’s not my brother you know we don’t have the same blood and same parents, but he’s my countryman and our country is at war and it would definitely send the wrong message.”
Riyadh Season’s Turki Alalshikh has expressed a keen interest in both Wladimir’s return as well as Usyk’s second tilt at heavyweight undisputed. What fight takes precedence will become clear after Dubois and Parker face off on February 22.
