Oleksandr Usyk Says Retirement Plan Is Not 100% Final

Usyk has said his current plan is three more fights, starting with Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt, followed by two more before retirement. When asked whether that timeline was completely final, Usyk left himself room to move.

“I said I have three fights. Rico and two more, and I finish,” said Usyk to DAZN Boxing.

“And that’s it?” Oladipo asked.

“Yeah,” said Usyk.

“No number 4 and number 5? Is that 100%?” Oladipo asked.

“Not 100%,” said Usyk.

That answer keeps the door open at a time when the heavyweight division has several possible paydays waiting. Daniel Dubois has returned as a major name after beating Fabio Wardley, while Fury remains the opponent that Usyk keeps bringing up publicly.

“Not 100%. When I say 100%, I not back because if I say, ‘Not back. Listen, I back because.’ No. Three fights and I finish,” said Usyk.

Money is another reason Usyk stopped short of making a firm retirement promise. Turki Alalshikh has already floated David Benavidez as a possible heavyweight opponent for Usyk in 2027. Benavidez became a unified cruiserweight champion earlier this month with his knockout win over Gilberto Ramirez, and a jump to heavyweight is already being discussed.

Collecting another massive payday against Tyson Fury, who Usyk refers to as “Greedy Belly,” for what could be his third fight, then returning for another Riyadh-backed goldmine against someone like Benavidez, could make retirement difficult to stick to. Those are the type of fights that can quickly change retirement plans when the heavyweight division still offers enormous money.