Oleksandr Usyk is reportedly considering a Zuffa Boxing championship bout against Deontay Wilder as the final fight of his career. These talks, confirmed by Usyk’s team director Sergey Lapin earlier this month, highlight a potential shift in how boxing’s biggest stars approach their career finales.
Usyk, a three-time undisputed champion, recently vacated his WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles in June 2026, retaining only The Ring heavyweight title. At 39 years old, he’s made it clear he intends to step aside, allowing the next generation of heavyweights to vie for those vacated belts.
Usyk’s “last dance” targets Deontay Wilder
Oleksandr Usyk, with an unblemished professional record of 25-0 and 16 knockouts, has often spoken about having just one more fight before retiring. He’s dubbed this potential final bout his “last dance,” and has identified Deontay Wilder as his preferred opponent.
Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight champion, also has an impressive record of 45 wins from 50 fights, with 43 stoppages. His manager, Shelly Finkel, confirmed that Wilder would accept a fight with Usyk if an offer is made, suggesting a clear mutual interest.
Zuffa Boxing’s ambition to make a statement
For Zuffa Boxing, securing a fighter of Usyk’s stature, even for a single event, would mark a significant milestone. The promotion, launched by TKO Group Holdings in June 2025, aims to apply the successful UFC promotional model to boxing.
Dana White, CEO of Zuffa Boxing, has been notably involved, with Usyk’s team confirming contact with him. A heavyweight clash involving Usyk, especially against a name like Wilder, would immediately elevate Zuffa Boxing’s profile in the sport.
Usyk’s reasoning for vacating titles
Usyk’s decision to vacate his major heavyweight titles came in June 2026, a move his team director Sergey Lapin said was made “with the future of the heavyweight division in mind.” It also aimed “to allow Anthony Joshua an opportunity to reunify titles.” This proactive approach from Usyk emphasizes his desire to keep the division dynamic.
He recalls waiting for his own title shot earlier in his career and wants the division to keep moving once he steps aside. This sentiment underscores a philosophy focused on the sport’s ecosystem rather than clinging to every possible championship belt.
Previous discussions and a demanding fight
Discussions for a Usyk-Wilder matchup first surfaced in late 2025 but didn’t materialize at the time. Instead, Usyk stepped into the ring against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in May 2026, securing an 11th-round TKO victory in Giza, Egypt. Usyk’s victory over Verhoeven followed a tough contest. Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven results saw the Ukrainian battle through a challenging bout.
Some reports indicated Usyk “showed his age and struggled to avoid a massive upset” during that fight. But this difficult experience has seemingly reinforced his commitment to a single, impactful final performance before retiring from boxing altogether.
The evolving landscape of boxing promotion
Usyk’s openness to fighting for a Zuffa Boxing title represents a potential shift within the professional boxing landscape. By prioritizing a marquee, high-paying fight with a new promoter, Usyk could be signaling a move away from the traditional sanctioning body system.
Zuffa Boxing has aggressively signed notable fighters since its June 2025 launch. They’ve added talents such as four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson and Conor Benn to their roster, indicating their serious intent to establish themselves.
Logistical considerations for a major event
While talks are advanced, Sergey Lapin emphasized that no official agreement has been signed yet, as of early July 2026. Staging an event of this magnitude involves complex logistics beyond just fighter agreements.
Lapin told the BBC that “the most logical setting would be somewhere in America.” However, no concrete agreements regarding a specific venue have been reached. He also noted that a fight of this level requires “the right partner, the right venue, the right broadcast platform, and an event of the appropriate scale.”
Zuffa Boxing has media rights agreements with Paramount Skydance, with events airing on Paramount+ and selected events on CBS. They’ve also co-promoted events streamed on Netflix, offering flexibility for a major broadcast. The final platform for a potential Usyk-Wilder fight is still to be determined.
Future implications for heavyweight boxing
Should the Usyk-Wilder fight under Zuffa Boxing come to fruition, it would be Zuffa’s biggest boxing event to date and could significantly impact the heavyweight division. It could establish Zuffa Boxing as a serious player, drawing substantial international attention.
This potential bout underscores a growing trend where fighter autonomy and lucrative, high-profile matchups are gaining precedence over strict adherence to traditional title defenses. It might empower more boxers to explore alternative promotional avenues to maximize their career-ending opportunities.
The discussions highlight a changing dynamic in boxing, with Usyk, a true legend of the sport, potentially concluding his career by helping to usher in a new era of promotional possibilities. His decision to vacate titles and pursue this path could inspire future generations of fighters.
