Usyk Eyes Wilder for 'Last Dance'
Oleksandr Usyk, the acclaimed heavyweight boxer, is reportedly in negotiations with Zuffa Boxing, a promotional entity led by UFC president Dana White, for what he intends to be his final professional fight. The proposed opponent for this 'farewell bout' is American former world champion, Deontay Wilder.
Usyk, 39, recently relinquished his WBA 'Super', WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, emphasizing that this action does not signify retirement but rather a desire for one last competitive appearance. With an unblemished record of 25 professional victories, Usyk is widely recognized as one of the preeminent fighters of his generation. Wilder, 40, while a former champion, is generally considered to be past his prime.
Potential Match-up and Promotional Involvement
Sergey Lapin, Usyk's team director, confirmed the Ukrainian's interest in facing Wilder. "Usyk has already stated that he sees Deontay Wilder as the opponent for his last dance," Lapin informed BBC Sport, highlighting the significant potential of such a match-up from various perspectives, including sporting, media, and international interest. Shelly Finkel, Wilder's manager, also indicated that his fighter would accept an offer to face Usyk.
The potential involvement of Zuffa Boxing adds an interesting dimension to these discussions. This new promotional venture, spearheaded by Dana White and reportedly backed by Saudi Arabian funding, aims to disrupt traditional boxing promotion models by recognizing its own champions, rather than exclusively relying on established sanctioning bodies.
Lapin confirmed direct discussions with Zuffa Boxing at the highest level, though no agreements have been finalized. He stated, "Zuffa Boxing is being considered as one of the potential partners for a major international event." The final structure of the event would be determined by what best serves the interests of the fight, the fighters, and the overall scale of the project.
Location and Logistics
While Usyk recently vacated his WBC title, which would have required him to defend against 'interim' champion Agit Kabayel, he appears to favor Wilder for his final contest. Wilder's most recent fight saw him defeat Derek Chisora by split decision in April, marking his 45th win in 50 professional outings. Known for his formidable power, Wilder has secured 43 stoppage victories, though his performance has seen a decline since his trilogy of fights with Tyson Fury.
Regarding the location for the potential bout, Lapin suggested that America is "the most logical option." However, both the date and specific venue remain open for discussion. He emphasized that a fight of this magnitude requires not only the right combatants but also the appropriate partners, venue, broadcast platform, and overall event scale before any concrete agreements can be reached.
