Usyk targeting 2026 return but rules out Itauma

Oleksandr Usyk says he will proceed to conflict for 2 much years and plans to return to nan ringing successful 2026, but has ruled retired a bout pinch British heavyweight Moses Itauma.

Usyk, 38, stopped Daniel Dubois astatine Wembley Stadium successful July to go a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

The Ukrainian, who besides antecedently held each 4 recognised world titles astatine cruiserweight, had antecedently hinted that he would conflict only erstwhile much earlier retiring.

However, nan pound-for-pound prima appears to person reversed that decision.

"I'll conflict until I'm 41," Usyk told nan Ready to Fight website. "Then I'll build a sports academy - I'll train location and train others."

Usyk said he is backmost successful training aft being sidelined by a backmost wounded which forced nan postponement of a conflict pinch WBO mandatory challenger Joseph Parker.

He added that, "God willing", he will return adjacent twelvemonth but dismissed 20-year-old Chatham combatant Itauma arsenic a imaginable opponent.

"No, I won't conflict Itauma," Usyk said. "He's young - ever teasing me. And he said himself he doesn't deed grandpas.

"I can't opportunity who precisely [I'll conflict next] because negotiations are ongoing. I'd beryllium lying if I gave you a name."

Itauma extended his unbeaten grounds to 13 wins, pinch 11 knockouts, by stopping erstwhile world title challenger Dillian Whyte wrong 2 minutes successful August.

The WBA has ordered its secondary champion, Kubrat Pulev, to look Itauma next, though nan Bulgarian is keen to take sides his loop against Murat Gassiev successful Dubai successful December.