Usyk confirms next fight will be his last

Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed that his next fight will be the final one of his professional career, bringing one of boxing’s most decorated modern careers closer to its conclusion.

The Ukrainian heavyweight made it known after Anthony Joshua’s victory over Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, where Usyk was present and spoke about his plans. 

Rather than leaving room for speculation, the undefeated champion stated that he intends to fight once more before retiring from the sport.

When asked if he was going to have a series of fights in the future, Usyk replied: “No, no, no. Last is only one. Not three last, not five last. It is only one.

“After [my next] fight, I say ‘thank you, everyone. Appreciate.”

This update shifts attention to who will stand across the ring from him in that farewell bout. 

Usyk remains one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation, having won world titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight while building a resume that includes double victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois.

His achievements have already earned him a place among boxing’s greats. 

Usyk became the undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving to heavyweight, where he repeated the feat by collecting all four major world titles. 

Few fighters in the modern era have managed to dominate two divisions in such emphatic fashion.

The 38-year-old has repeatedly spoken about listening to his body and knowing when the right time to step away arrives. 

After years of championship fights and training camps, he now appears ready to bring his career to a close on his own terms.

Tyson Fury remains an obvious candidate for the farewell bout, given their rivalry and the significance of their previous meetings, while Deontay Wilder has also emerged as a possible option. 

Wilder’s manager, Shelly Finkel, recently said the American would welcome the opportunity to face Usyk, and reports have linked both camps to discussions about a potential fixture in the United States.

On what comes next, Usyk may likely take on a coaching or managerial role. 

His recent contribution to Joshua’s triumph over Prenga, with months of training and encouragement, may lead him to explore roles around that path.