Oleksandr Usyk’s planned “last dance” could come against Deontay Wilder after the former undisputed heavyweight champion vacated his world titles and opened talks with Zuffa Boxing.
Usyk recently gave up his remaining championship belts and made clear that he wants one final fight before retirement. As his titles were redistributed, with Agit Kabayel receiving the WBC belt and Murat Gassiev taking the WBA version, attention quickly turned to who Usyk might choose for his farewell.
Wilder has now emerged as a serious option. Usyk has already beaten Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice, leaving Wilder as the last major heavyweight champion from his era that he has not faced.
For Wilder, the fight could represent a final chance at the top level. The former WBC champion defended that belt 10 times after winning it in 2015, but has lost four of his last seven fights and is now 40 years old. His recent split decision win over Derek Chisora kept him in the heavyweight conversation, but his best days appear behind him.
Usyk, 39, remains unbeaten at 25-0 and has little left to prove. He was linked to a Rico Verhoeven rematch after their controversial fight in May, and also to Kabayel, but a Wilder fight now looks more realistic.
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