The shifting landscape comes in the wake of Usyk’s tougher-than-expected 11th-round technical knockout victory over heavyweight and kickboxing standout Rico Verhoeven back in May. That grueling encounter prompted a strategic pivot from the undefeated champion. Shortly after securing the victory, Usyk made the monumental decision to vacate his three remaining heavyweight world titles, signaling to the boxing world that he was nearing the end of the road and intended to take part in just one more professional fight before hanging up his gloves for good.
Initially, combat sports enthusiasts anticipated a blockbuster stateside encounter between Usyk and Deontay Wilder. The hard-hitting American had recently worked his way back into the win column courtesy of a hard-fought split-decision victory over British stalwart Derek Chisora in April. A clash between Usyk’s defensive mastery and Wilder’s trademark atomic right hand presented a mouthwatering prospect for fans across the globe, seemingly representing the ultimate stylistic test for the division’s elite.
Ultimately, however, the negotiations fizzled out, and the two heavyweight contenders went their separate ways. In a rather surprising turn of events, Wilder’s career trajectory shifted toward a potential bout against explosive cruiserweight Jai Opetaia on December 11. The pair were reportedly in advanced talks to collide on the undercard of the massive Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua blockbuster event, a move that would have seen the former two-time world cruiserweight champion Opetaia make his long-awaited debut in the heavyweight division. Yet, the heavyweight landscape proved fluid, as news subsequently broke that Wilder had also been linked to a potential clash against Rico Verhoeven—a fight the former kickboxer has already openly accepted.
With the Wilder bout off the table, attention quickly turned to Usyk’s next and potentially final move inside the squared circle. According to insights shared by Ring Magazine’s senior insider Mike Coppinger, the masterclass southpaw is now seriously entertaining a lucrative and legacy-defining trilogy match with his fierce rival, Tyson Fury. Usyk famously captured the undisputed heavyweight crown by handing Fury the first defeat of his professional career in May 2024, before repeating the feat later that same year in a thrilling immediate rematch. Despite holding two clear victories over the "Gypsy King," Usyk is reportedly willing to put his coveted undefeated professional record on the line once more to face the British heavyweight yet again, provided Fury emerges victorious in his upcoming assignment against Anthony Joshua.
The potential trilogy is not the only high-stakes option on the table for the Ukrainian icon. In addition to the Fury rematch, Coppinger took to social media to reveal that the 39-year-old Usyk is also remarkably open to a cross-division superfight against undefeated unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight champion David Benavidez. The prospect of facing the relentless Mexican-American puncher represents the quintessential definition of "big-game hunting" for a veteran fighter closing in on his 41st year of life.
Shedding light on the strategic thinking behind Usyk’s recent career choices, Coppinger explained on social media that the Ukrainian’s decision to relinquish his championship belts was entirely calculated. There is a very good reason Oleksandr Usyk vacated his heavyweight titles, and that is because he is actively hunting the biggest challenges available as he enters the next chapter of his storied life and career. A trilogy with Tyson Fury—contingent upon Fury overcoming Anthony Joshua—alongside a career-defining confrontation with David Benavidez, are currently viewed as the most viable and realistic options for the reigning Ring Magazine heavyweight champion.
While these massive matchups continue to dominate boxing headlines, Benavidez has his own immediate hurdles to clear. The undefeated champion is currently scheduled to face WBC cruiserweight titleholder Michal Cieslak on December 5. Even with that high-stakes assignment looming large, Benavidez has repeatedly expressed his burning desire to formally transition into the heavyweight division and test his exceptional skills against a generational talent of Usyk’s caliber. As the closing chapter of Usyk’s career takes shape, the boxing world waits to see which of these two formidable challenges will ultimately tempt the future Hall of Famer into making his final walk to the ring.
