Oleksandr Usyk issues new retirement date in U-turn over career
The two-division undisputed champion was set to retire after one more fight in 2026, but has performed sensational U-turn by setting out a new retirement date
Oleksandr Usyk has handed Tyson Fury a major boost after revealing he will keep fighting for another two years.
Earlier this year, the 38-year-old set out his retirement plan, claiming he had two more fights in him before officially calling it a day. Back in July, Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in front of over 90,000 fans at Wembley Stadium to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time in his career.
Usyk is expected to take the rest of the year off and enjoy some precious time with his family before returning to the squared-circle in 2026. The Ukrainian - who turns 39 in January - was previously ordered to defend his WBO belt against Joseph Parker after beating Dubois or risked being stripped of the belt. However, the fight has since been delayed on medical grounds with recent confirmation stating that Usyk's team had been successful in their appeal for a 90-day extension.
The Ukrainian heavyweight king revealed to UNN that he has returned to training amid talks of a return next year. "I train every day. Yesterday morning I arrived and immediately went to the training hall," he said. "I train with the goal of entering the ring next year and, with God's help, winning." Usyk later revealed that he plans to retire at the age of 41 - performing a drastic U-turn on his previous claims. He addmitted: "I will box until I am 41. And then I will build a sports academy and train there, and I will train there."
Usyk's comments serves as a real boost to Fury. The 'Gypsy King' announced his retirement back in January after suffering back-to-back defeats to the Ukrainian, but announced in July he would be making a stunning comeback next year.
With Fury poised to return to the ring in 2026, his promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports: "He's got to confirm it and sit down and work out when it's going to be. If we do that then I'll be delighted we can announce it. But he's indicated to me and I know to a lot of people that he does want to carry on. So we'll see."
After Anthony Joshua's knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September 2024, many assumed 'AJ' would face Fury next. The pair have traded barbs for several years, but a fight between them has never come to fruition. While an all-British clash tops many fans' wish lists, Warren admits it remains possible, but stresses his star client is entirely focused on a third dust-up with Usyk.
READ MORE: 'Big John' Fisher made chicken wing offer after being deportedREAD MORE: Chris Eubank Jr provides worrying update just weeks before Conor Benn rematch"He may do that. There's a lot of talk about Joshua, there's a lot of talk about Joshua having a tune-up up so there's no way he's going to sit around waiting," Warren said. The promoter added: "The fight he really wants is another go with Mr. Usyk, he really wants that. And they were great fights, really close fights, to watch. I'd watch that again. That's the fight he wants. That's the one he talks about all the time. He hasn't got a lot of miles on the clock. He's nobody's fool, he's a very smart guy, he knows better than you and me what he's got left.
"He's a fighting man and if he decides that he's going to move forward and do it, he'll do it. He's not a stupid guy who's clutching at straws. He'll only fight if he feels he can do it."
When is the next boxing event?
Kieron Conway is set to square off against George Liddard on Friday, 17 October at York Hall, Bethnal Green. The main undercard is expected to kick off around 7pm UK time (11am ET / 8am PT / 10am CT). In the headline event, Liddard will be the first to enter the ring at approximately 10pm UK time (5pm ET / 2pm PT / 4pm CT), with Conway following shortly after.
Please note that all fight times are subject to change and depend on the duration of the undercard. All the action will be broadcast live on DAZN. This popular streaming platform can be accessed as an additional subscription on televisions, or streamed live via the official website or downloadable app. A DAZN subscription costs £119.99 annually or £14.99 per month, or there's a flexible £24.99 option that can be cancelled at any time.
