Usyk eyes Jones or Wilder for farewell fight after vacating heavyweight titles

Oleksandr Usyk has stepped away from his IBA, WBC and WBA heavyweight titles but is not done fighting yet, with his advisor confirming that UFC legend Jon Jones and former world champion Deontay Wilder are under consideration as opponents for the Ukrainian’s final professional bout.

Sergey Lapin, who advises Usyk, told Ring Magazine that the former undisputed heavyweight champion is targeting a farewell fight in the United States later this year, with Jones and Wilder the two names on the shortlist. Usyk himself has described the contest as a “last dance” before he completely retires from combat sports.

The timing is notable for Jones, who retired from the UFC last year as the reigning heavyweight champion with a record of 28-1. The former double champion has since been vocal about a potential move to boxing, and his frustration with the UFC boiled over earlier this month when he publicly demanded his release from the promotion after failing to secure a place on the UFC’s White House card.

Usyk arrives at this crossroads off the back of a dramatic and contentious outing against Dutch kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. Heading into the 11th round, Usyk appeared on course for a shock defeat, only to force a highly controversial stoppage in the closing seconds of the round to escape with the win.

Whether the matchup with Jones materialises will depend on negotiations between both camps, as well as Jones’s contractual situation with the UFC. Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight champion known for his knockout power, represents a more conventional boxing opponent, while a Jones fight would carry the crossover spectacle that has driven some of the sport’s biggest recent paydays.