Oleksandr boxing star Aiming for Next Year Comeback But Excludes Moses Itauma Fight
Oleksandr Usyk is a gold medal winner, triple unified title holder and unbeaten in 24 professional bouts.
The champion Usyk declares he intends to keep boxing for two more years and aims to fight again in 2026, but dismissed a bout with UK boxer Moses Itauma.
Usyk, 38, beat Daniel Dubois at the London venue in the summer to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Usyk, who had once owned all four major world titles at cruiserweight, had indicated before that he would fight only once more before retiring.
But, the top-rated star seems to have reversed that decision.
"I will continue until I reach 41," Usyk told the R2F platform. "After that I will establish a training center - I'll work out there and mentor boxers."
The champion mentioned he is back in training after taking time off 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 will return in 2026 but excluded 20-year-old Chatham fighter Itauma as a future challenger.
"No, I refuse to face Itauma," Usyk said. "He's young - constantly joking with me. He also mentioned himself he doesn't hit grandpas."
"I can't say which opponent [{I'll fight next|I will face next|my next bout will be against] because discussions are in progress. It would be dishonest by naming a name."
Itauma improved his unbeaten record to thirteen victories, with 11 stoppages, by beating ex-title contender Dillian Whyte inside two minutes in the summer.
World Boxing Association has ordered its secondary champion Kubrat Pulev to face Itauma as his next opponent, although the fighter from Bulgaria is eager to keep his championship against Murat Gassiev in Dubai in December.
