Copyright GIVEMESPORT
There is no chance Oleksandr Usyk will face a certain heavyweight next time he steps into the ring, with the champion already stating he simply won't fight him. When the inevitable day of the Ukrainian's retirement comes, he will go down as one of the best to ever do it, but as of now, he has reversed his plans to retire after one more fight, with the goal of extending his career beyond 2026. The 38-year-old knocked out Daniel Dubois in his last fight in a dominant performance at Wembley Stadium, and he expects to be able to compete for two more years, despite previously stating he only has a couple of fights left in his glittering career. "I'll fight until I'm 41," Usyk told his Ready to Fight website. "Then I will build a sports academy. I will train there and train others." Oleksandr Usyk Next Fight A back injury has prevented the world heavyweight champion from fighting for the rest of this year, but he is training and preparing for a targeted return in 2026, with his next fight yet to be arranged. His next fight could, however, be a defence of his WBO belt against the winner of the Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley showdown. Alternatively, he might forgo the belt and wait for a more high-profile bout. When he does eventually step back into the ring, it won’t be against Moses Itauma, however, who, at just 20 years old, is fast becoming one of boxing’s rising stars. Usyk was quick to express this too, saying: "No, I won't fight Itauma. He's young - always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn't hit grandpas! "I can't say who exactly because negotiations are ongoing. I'd be lying if I gave you a name." Itauma's shot at the WBA 'regular' heavyweight title against Kubrat Pulev was just put on hold days ago. Instead, the Bulgarian will defend his belt against Murat Gassiev on the 12th of December. The Brit is ranked number one with the WBA, and had been preparing for a world title push in just his 14th professional bout, which puts into perspective just how impressive he has been. He is often considered the second coming of Mike Tyson because of his incredible rise through the ranks. He is 13-0 with 11 KOs, and in his previous fight, he knocked out Dillian Whyte in the first round. As it stands, Itauma is set to headline the Queensberry show in Manchester on the 13th of December. However, an opponent for the bout is yet to be confirmed.
