The 38-year-old heavyweight star has nought fought since defeating Daniel Dubois back in July, but is eyeing up a 2026 return against Tyson Fury’s old rival
Oleksandr Usyk has handed Tyson Fury a huge blow by calling for a showdown with his arch nemesis Deontay Wilder.
The 38-year-old has not fought since his impressive knockout victory over Daniel Dubois back in July, but is targeting a return to the squared-circle next year. Usyk revealed earlier this year that 2026 would be his last in professional boxing, before performing a drastic U-turn back in October – stating he planned to continue until the age of 41.
Usyk’s comments served as a major boost to Fury – who has long called for a trilogy fight with the Ukrainian. The ‘Gypsy King’ announced his retirement back in January, but confirmed in July he would be making a stunning comeback next year. Since then, though, the Brit remains unsure as to whether or not he will box again.
A third fight with the two-time undisputed champion would seemingly be enough to lure him back in the ring. However, the Morecambe brawler may now have to wait a little while longer to get his shot at Usyk after the 38-year-old heavyweight king called for a showdown with Wilder.
When discussing his future, Usyk explained to Boxing King Media: “I want to continue fighting next year. I want to fight Deontay Wilder. For me, I think it is interesting.” He added: “He’s (Wilder) a world champion guy, a very famous guy, this is strong guy, and he is one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of the last 10 ten years.”
Fury’s rivalry with Wilder is arguably one of the most iconic in the sport’s history, having gone toe-to-toe on three occasions. The pair fought to a stunning draw back in 2018, before the ‘Gypsy King’ scored two knockout victories over his American rival in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
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As for Usyk, it seems as if the Ukrainian is eager to test himself against one of the hardest-hitting fighters of all time. The ‘Bronze Bomber’ became a world champion back in 2015 after out-pointing Bermane Stiverne, before successful title defences against Eric Molina, Johann Duhaupas, Artur Szpilka, Chris Arreola, Gerald Washington, Stiverne and Luis Ortiz. Despite drawing with Fury, Wilder kept hold of his heavyweight title before having it snatched away from him by the Brit two years later.
Since his second defeat to Fury in 2021, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has only won twice. The 40-year-old returned to winning ways in his comeback fight against Robert Helenius three years ago, but back-to-back defeats to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang followed. Wilder emerged victorious in his last outing back in June against Tyrrell Anthony Herndon, and is eyeing up a return to the ring at some point in 2026.
