Usyk’s advisor, Sergey Lapin, revealed that former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is also under consideration for the final fight of Usyk’s career.
“Oleksandr Usyk is eyeing a fight against Deontay Wilder or former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones later this year in the United States,” Lapin told Mike Coppinger of The Ring.
Usyk announced on Friday that he was vacating the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles while confirming he intends to have one final fight before retiring.
A bout with Wilder has been discussed for more than a year and would finally give Usyk the opportunity to headline against the former WBC heavyweight champion in the United States. Although Wilder is no longer the dominant force who ruled the division for five years, he remains one of the sport’s biggest punchers and is coming off a split-decision victory over Derek Chisora in April.
Jones, meanwhile, would represent a completely different type of event. Widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists in history, the former UFC heavyweight champion has never competed as a professional boxer and has fought just once in MMA during the past three years.
Despite renewed calls for a rematch after Usyk’s controversial stoppage victory over Rico Verhoeven in May, Lapin’s comments suggest the Dutch kickboxing star is not currently part of the plans for Usyk’s farewell.
Usyk is expected to face either Wilder or Jones later this year in the United States before bringing one of boxing’s greatest careers to a close.
