Usyk to box two to three more years, back in 2026, rules out Itauma

Oleksandr Usyk said he will continue his boxing career for another two to three years and plans to return to the ring in 2026, while ruling out a bout with rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma. The 38 year old Ukrainian, who became a two time undisputed heavyweight champion after stopping Daniel Dubois in July, said on his Ready to Fight podcast that he intends to fight until he is 41 and then open a sports academy to train others.

Usyk, unbeaten as a professional and a former undisputed cruiserweight champion and Olympic gold medallist, said he has resumed training after a back injury forced him to pause negotiations for a scheduled defence against WBO mandatory challenger Joseph Parker. "I'll fight until I'm 41," he said, adding that he hoped, "God willing", to be back in the ring next year. He also dismissed the prospect of facing 20 year old Moses Itauma in the near future. "No, I won't fight Itauma," Usyk said. "He's young, always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn't hit grandpas."

Itauma, who improved his record to 13 wins with 11 knockouts by stopping Dillian Whyte in August, has been linked to a rapid rise through the heavyweight rankings and was recently...