Oleksandr Usyk reverses plans for retirement

[Ruthless-RKO]

Oleksandr Usyk reverses plans for retirement but won't fight young prodigy Moses Itauma next

Undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk revealed he now intends to extend his boxing career beyond 2026; Ukrainian star is in negotiations for an upcoming fight, but 20-year-old prodigy Moses Itauma won't be next - "He doesn't hit grandpas!" Usyk said

Oleksandr Usyk has reversed his plans to retire after one more fight as he looks to extend his career beyond 2026.

The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world had stated he would only box once more, in a fight which was earmarked for next year.

But he has now revealed he plans to continue on beyond that.

The 38-year-old knocked out Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in his last fight in a dominant performance. He expects to be able to compete for two more years.

"I'll fight until I'm 41," Usyk told his Ready to Fight website. "Then I'll build a sports academy. I'll train there and train others."

A back injury sidelined Usyk for the rest of this year. But he is training and preparing to box. His targeted return is 2026.

"Next year," he said, "and, God willing, I'll win."

But Usyk does not intend to fight rising star Moses Itauma, who is 20 years old, next.

"No, I won't fight Itauma [in the next fight]. He's young - always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn't hit grandpas!" Usyk said.

"I can't say who exactly because negotiations are ongoing. I'd be lying if I gave you a name."

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why cant boxer walk away anymore?

[mickey1975]

Why cant boxer walk away anymore?

It's not a new thing.

[Taansend]

Why cant boxer walk away anymore?

Have a look at ALL of Marciano's best wins

[tiny_acres]

If I was Usyk I'd fight Moses sooner rather than later.
If he wants to fight for 3 more years we know he has Parker, Kabayel and more than likely Moses. Still could fight 2 or 3 more

[gilgamesh]

Even if he doesn't intend for Itauma to be his very next fight, he'd be wise to fight Itauma next year because each time Itauma has another bout or another training camp. He's going to be that much more difficult to beat.

Itauma is getting stronger, and stronger and stronger, Usyk is at best staying exactly the same or getting weaker.

[Taansend]

It's no coincidence that Usyks new retirement date is around the time Leo Atang turns 21.

He's obviously ducking him

[KiwiRider]

It's no coincidence that Usyks new retirement date is around the time Leo Atang turns 21.

He's obviously ducking him

He might be waiting for Ortiz to retire as well
As far as boogie men, and things that go bump in the night, Ortiz having his third nocturnal pee and tripping over his phone charger cable sure is scary.

[Taansend]

Fair point.

You can't spell BOOGIEMAN without Ortiz

[joshj909]

If I was Usyk I'd fight Moses sooner rather than later.
If he wants to fight for 3 more years we know he has Parker, Kabayel and more than likely Moses. Still could fight 2 or 3 more

Parker and Kabayel are probably pretty dead certs. Opetaia unifying at CW before moving up and facing Usyk. Then Itauma and Jalolov getting a big win before facing Usyk. That, in my opinion, would be the best option for the fans and his legacy.

[mickey1975]

I'd say Fury is as likely as anyone.

[tiny_acres]

I'd say Fury is as likely as anyone.

I hope not

[Ruthless-RKO]

Usyk fighting Fury a 3rd time after beating clean twice already is like Fury fighting Chisora a 3rd time.

Hes just giving greedy belly a payday.

[mickey1975]

Usyk fighting Fury a 3rd time after beating clean twice already is like Fury fighting Chisora a 3rd time.

Hes just giving greedy belly a payday.

Or giving himself one. Who will bring him bigger money?

[gilgamesh]

Why cant boxer walk away anymore?

Hell we just started the new Heavyweight title lineage. I wouldn't want to start it again so soon anyhow. If Usyk fights for 3 more years he won't retire as Champion he'll keep the lineage moving.

If he manages 3 or 4 more title defenses before losing the title loss wouldn't hurt his legacy that bad considering his age already.

[gilgamesh]

Usyk fighting Fury a 3rd time after beating clean twice already is like Fury fighting Chisora a 3rd time.

Hes just giving greedy belly a payday.

Yeah I'd be kinda disgusted if his next bout was against Fury who now hasn't won a fight in over 2 years.

I wouldn't even be upset if he fought him a 3rd time if Fury did something first like fighting AJ, and winning, but if he just comes back straight into a title fight. That's just lame, and an insult to the sport, its fans, and the other more worthy contenders.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why cant boxer walk away anymore?

Hell we just started the new Heavyweight title lineage. I wouldn't want to start it again so soon anyhow. If Usyk fights for 3 more years he won't retire as Champion he'll keep the lineage moving.

If he manages 3 or 4 more title defenses before losing the title loss wouldn't hurt his legacy that bad considering his age already.

True. All the greats lost a fight. Many considered generational GOAT’s

[Ruthless-RKO]

Usyk fighting Fury a 3rd time after beating clean twice already is like Fury fighting Chisora a 3rd time.

Hes just giving greedy belly a payday.

Yeah I'd be kinda disgusted if his next bout was against Fury who now hasn't won a fight in over 2 years.

I wouldn't even be upset if he fought him a 3rd time if Fury did something first like fighting AJ, and winning, but if he just comes back straight into a title fight. That's just lame, and an insult to the sport, its fans, and the other more worthy contenders.

Hasn’t beaten a boxer in 3 years

[gilgamesh]

And honestly. Let's be real here. Usyk continuing to fight and earning potentially 100 million more dollars if not more is worth a lot more to him and his than schmucks like us considering him the 6th or 7th best Heavyweight of all time or whatever.

[Nightmare Roy]

I'd say Fury is as likely as anyone.

Probably, be a shame though, beat him pretty easily twice, what's the point?

[gregregegg]

Parker, kab, jai, Moses would be the ultiment continuation/end of his career. (All dependent on how the body holds up)…

But that can all obviously change (if wardly won, or if someone had a good win or 2)…

If Zhang KO’d chisora I wouldent mind Zhang vs Usyk (I am the minority I just quite like it) if wilder KO,d AJ I wouldent mind wilder vs Usyk… if Jalov got a top 10 win I wouldent hate Jalov.

[gregregegg]

I'd say Fury is as likely as anyone.

Agreed, but I think it would be a massive massive shame if he got that fight without at least fighting AJ and/or DDD first.

[gilgamesh]

Parker, kab, jai, Moses would be the ultiment continuation/end of his career. (All dependent on how the body holds up)…

But that can all obviously change (if wardly won, or if someone had a good win or 2)…

If Zhang KO’d chisora I wouldent mind Zhang vs Usyk (I am the minority I just quite like it) if wilder KO,d AJ I wouldent mind wilder vs Usyk… if Jalov got a top 10 win I wouldent hate Jalov.

I'd love Usyk vs Zhang if Zhang could rack up a few wins as well. The novelty of a giant Chinese Heavyweight with power is amusing to me, and Zhang is always fun to watch whether he wins or loses.

[Grilling Machine]

The Parker-Wardley winner, Kabayel and Opetaia are all natural fights. Jalolov, Itauma and Zhang would need a springboard win first. Itauma-Torrez is the fans' choice for an eliminator. And I suppose Jal could fight Zhang.

For Usyk, respect is surely more valuable than money. AJ and Fury have only each other.

[gilgamesh]

The Parker-Wardley winner, Kabayel and Opetaia are all natural fights. Jalolov, Itauma and Zhang would need a springboard win first. Itauma-Torrez is the fans' choice for an eliminator. And I suppose Jal could fight Zhang.

For Usyk, respect is surely more valuable than money. AJ and Fury have only each other.

So if he lost once you'd quit respecting him? I'm sure your answer is no, and that'd be the case for most anyone else.

Even if he won his next 5 fights he could never rise any higher than being the 6th or 7th best Heavyweight of all time even if he had a perfect run over the next 3 years.

Personally I'd rather be 100 Million dollars richer than be the 6th or 7th best of something.

If he takes 1 loss and manages 3 or 4 more wins prior, he's probably still a legit Top 10. So it's not much a blow to his legacy, but it's an absolutely ginormous boost to his bank account.