Oleksandr Usyk Shares Retirement Plans as He Concludes Legendary Career
Ukrainian boxing icon Oleksandr Usyk has opened up about his retirement plans as he approaches the final chapter of his illustrious career. At 38 years old, Usyk has put to rest any speculation about a potential bout with rising British heavyweight star Moses Itauma, despite the young fighter’s recent challenge.
Usyk dismissed the idea of facing the 20-year-old Itauma with a lighthearted remark during an interview with Ready to Fight: "No, I won’t fight Itauma. He’s young — always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn’t hit grandpas!" This statement follows Itauma’s impressive first-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in August, where he showcased his formidable power and solidified his status as one of the heavyweight division’s most exciting prospects.
Itauma expressed his eagerness to face Usyk, saying, "I’d love to take that opportunity," highlighting his ambition to challenge the unified champion. With an impressive record of 11 knockouts in just 13 fights, Itauma is certainly making headlines in the boxing world. His swift victory over Whyte, which took less than two minutes, further enhanced his reputation.
Usyk’s trainer, Ben Davison, acknowledged the uniqueness of a potential matchup between Usyk and Itauma, stating to Sky Sports, "As much as Moses hasn’t boxed anyone like Usyk, Usyk hasn’t fought anyone like Moses, because there hasn’t been anyone like him." Davison praised Itauma’s exceptional ability to read the fight and adapt his strategy, a quality that sets him apart from typical heavyweights.
While Usyk has ruled out a fight with Itauma, he confirmed that retirement is not on the immediate horizon. The two-time undisputed heavyweight champion intends to continue fighting for another three years, revealing to Ready to Fight, "I’ll fight until I’m 41. Then I’ll build a sports academy — I’ll train there and train others."
After recovering from a back injury that postponed his mandatory defense against WBO challenger Joseph Parker, Usyk is back in training. Parker is now set to fight Fabio Wardley for the WBO interim heavyweight title on October 25. Usyk last stepped into the ring in July, where he defeated Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium, and he is expected to make his return to the ring in 2026.
As for his next opponent, Usyk stated, "I can’t say who exactly because negotiations are ongoing. I’d be lying if I gave you a name." Meanwhile, Moses Itauma is planning his December return with several potential opponents, including Michael Hunter and David Adeleye. Although Itauma has been named as the mandatory challenger for Kubrat Pulev’s WBA regular title, Pulev has already announced plans to face Murat Gassiev instead.
It appears that both fighters may have to wait for their paths to cross, but fans will undoubtedly be watching closely as their careers unfold.
