Oleksandr Usyk has rejected the possibility of hanging up his gloves in the near future, declaring that he is likely to remain in the sport for at least another year.
The bona fide heavyweight king has not fought since his fifth-round stoppage victory over Daniel Dubois in July 2025 to become a three-time undisputed champion.
Usyk showed no interest in defending his crown against Wardley, who was upgraded from interim to full WBO champion – following his 11th-round finish over Joseph Parker – towards the end of last year.
Instead, the Ukrainian has expressed far more of a desire to face former world champion Deontay Wilder, with their respective teams having initiated negotiations for a showdown this year.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ ended a year-long layoff last June, stopping little-known heavyweight Tyrrell Herndon in round seven but still not looking like the formidable force he once was.
Previous defeats to Parker and Zhilei Zhang already suggested that Wilder has been on a steady decline since losing his trilogy clash with Tyson Fury in 2021.
Usyk is nonetheless targeting the 40-year-old American for his eagerly-anticipated return later this year, while also insisting that he plans to have two or three more fights in total.
The 38-year-old said that much in a recent interview with Ring Magazine.
“I want fight with [The Bronze Bomber], Deontay Wilder. I want this fight, I think Deontay, too, [wants it to happen]. Okay, let’s go.
“I think [I’ll have] two [or] three fights more.”
Usyk’s manager recently revealed they would like to face Wilder in April or May in Las Vegas.
