Oleksandr Usyk wants to end his legendary boxing career with two more big fights.
The 23-0 Ukranian cemented his reign as heavyweight king by beating Tyson Fury in December.
Oleksandr Usyk now boasts back-to-back wins over ‘The Gypsy King’ after previously outpointing Anthony Joshua twice before knocking out Daniel Dubois, who holds the only outstanding major world title in the division.
The WBO, WBC, and WBA heavyweight champion is currently without an opponent – but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t got a plan for what’s next.
Oleksandr Usyk maps out two-fight retirement plan
Usyk wants to become a three-time undisputed champion before calling time on his career.
After previously winning all four major belts at cruiserweight and heavyweight, he wants to do it again by facing the winner of the IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, which will take place on February 22 in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk named the Dubois vs Parker winner as his ideal next opponent after revealing he plans to retire soon.
“First, it’s who wins the next fight on February 22,” the 38-year-old said during an interview with TNT Boxing.
Somewhat shockingly, Usyk revealed that he wants to go the Floyd Mayweather route for his final fight.
‘Money’ cashed out of professional boxing with a 2017 crossover clash with UFC star Conor McGregor.
Usyk wants to do the same thing against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira before retiring.
He added: “Next, maybe a show fight with Alex Pereira. Maybe. Why not? Alex wants to [fight].”
Alex Pereira called out Oleksandr Usyk
Pereira recently set his sights on a fight with Usyk during an appearance on Rampage Jackson‘s podcast.
“[Boxing] is something he really wants,” Coach Plinio Cruz translated for his star pupil. “But you know, he’s in a contract with the UFC – We know McGregor did it…
“He’s the champ so he’d like to fight a champ. So Oleksandr Usyk… He feels that he could do really good.”
Pereira calling out Usyk left fans in hysterics as they gave him no chance against the pound-for-pound best boxer on the planet.
Before that fight can become a possibility, ‘Poatan’ has to defend his 205lb belt at UFC 313 on March 8.
Streaking contender Magomed Ankalaev is viewed by many as the toughest test of Pereira’s reign.
A defeat at UFC 313 could end all talk of a crossover to boxing to face Usyk in his retirement fight.