Oleksandr Usyk’s final opponent could be Deontay Wilder, according to Eddie Hearn. Usyk announced this week that he has vacated the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, while also confirming that he plans to fight once more before retiring. The Ukrainian had already vacated the WBO belt last year and now leaves the heavyweight titles open for the next group of contenders.
Usyk’s decision came after he was ordered to defend the WBC belt against mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, who has since been elevated to full champion. There had also been speculation about a possible rematch with Rico Verhoeven after the controversial ending to their fight in May.
Speaking during DAZN’s broadcast of the Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis card in Brooklyn, Hearn said he expects Usyk to choose Wilder instead.
“As I understand it, Usyk will fight Wilder next,” Hearn said. “He wants to do what he wants to do, I guess, and have one more in the sun. If you know you know.”
Usyk and Wilder had been linked earlier this year, but Wilder instead moved on to face Derek Chisora, winning over the distance. The former WBC champion had previously suffered back-to-back defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang after his trilogy with Tyson Fury.
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