Oleksandr Usyk, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of his generation, has announced his retirement plans, signaling that his illustrious professional career is nearing its conclusion. The Ukrainian has built an exceptional legacy, surpassing many of his contemporaries with his achievements. His amateur career culminated in an Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games, and within just six years of turning pro, he conquered the cruiserweight division, becoming the undisputed four-belt champion.
Following in the footsteps of legends like Evander Holyfield and David Haye, Usyk made the leap to the heavyweight division, where he also claimed world championship status. But Usyk didn’t stop there—he matched Holyfield’s feat by becoming the undisputed champion in boxing’s premier weight class.
His list of high-profile victories includes triumphs over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Murat Gassiev, and Mairis Briedis. Now, his final goal is to cement his legacy further by becoming undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time.
In an interview with Al Arabiya, Usyk detailed his retirement plan, revealing that he has only two fights remaining in his career. “At the moment, I don’t know who my opponents are going to be, but yes [I stand by that]. I have two fights to go in my unbelievable journey. Listen, for over 20 years, no one could organize an undisputed fight—Saudi Arabia did it. His Excellency has done it, and they can do it again. Fans want to see the fight very much.”
Oleksandr Usyk celebrates victory after defeating Daniel Dubois during the Heavyweight fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at Stadion Wroclaw on August 26, 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)
Usyk’s road to retirement
The biggest obstacle standing between Usyk and his final goal is Daniel Dubois, the reigning IBF world champion—whom Usyk has already defeated. Their August 2023 bout ended with Usyk stopping Dubois in the ninth round, though controversy surrounded a low blow call that momentarily sent Usyk to the canvas. Complicating matters further, Usyk has also been ordered to defend his WBO belt against Joseph Parker, potentially disrupting his two-fight retirement plan.
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If Usyk succeeds in becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time, he will enter a rarefied class in boxing history. Few fighters have ever achieved this feat, and Usyk is determined to join that exclusive club. His ability to adapt to different styles and outmaneuver elite opponents makes him one of the most formidable heavyweights in the sport today.
Usyk’s legacy: A champion in two divisions
Regardless of what happens in his final fights, Usyk’s legacy is already secured. His dominance across the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions cements his status as one of the greatest boxers of his era. His technical mastery, speed, and ring intelligence have made him a nightmare for opponents and a generational talent in the sport. With just two fights left, the boxing world will be watching closely as Usyk seeks to make history one last time.
