Oleksandr boxing star Planning Next Year Comeback However Excludes Itauma Bout
The Usyk stands as an Olympic gold medalist, three-time unified title holder and undefeated in twenty-four pro fights.
The champion Usyk states he will remain active for another two years and plans to return to the ring in the year 2026, but has ruled out a match with UK heavyweight Moses Itauma.
The Ukrainian fighter, 38, stopped Daniel Dubois at the London venue in the summer to become a double unified titleholder.
The Ukrainian, who also previously held all four major championship belts at the cruiserweight division, had previously hinted that he would fight only once more before retiring.
However, the top-rated fighter appears to have reversed that intention.
"I will continue until I turn forty-one," he told the Ready to Fight platform. "Then I'll build a training center - I'll work out there and teach others."
Usyk revealed he has returned to training after being sidelined due to a back injury which forced the postponement of a fight with World Boxing Organization required opponent Joseph Parker.
He stated that, "Hopefully", he plans to fight in the coming year but excluded young Chatham fighter Itauma as a future challenger.
"Absolutely not, I will not box Itauma," Usyk stated. "He's young - always teasing me. And he said personally he won't strike older fighters."
"It's impossible to tell who exactly [{I'll fight next|I will face next|my next bout will be against] since talks are ongoing. It would be dishonest if I gave you a name."
Itauma increased his perfect record to 13 wins, with 11 knockouts, by defeating ex-title contender Dillian Whyte inside two minutes in August.
World Boxing Association has ordered its regular titleholder Kubrat Pulev to fight Itauma as his next opponent, but the fighter from Bulgaria is eager to defend his belt against Murat Gassiev in the UAE in December.
