Oleksandr Usyk vs Deontay Wilder: Ukrainian in talks with Zuffa Boxing for heavyweight fight

Heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk is in talks with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing for his farewell fight against Deontay Wilder in America.

The Ukrainian gave up his WBA ‘Super’, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles last week but insisted he was not retiring and wanted “one last dance”.

Usyk, 39, is undefeated in 25 professional fights and is considered one of the best fighters of his generation. Wilder, 40, is a former world champion, but he is long past his peak.

Usyk’s team director Sergey Lapin said in a statement to BBC Sport: “Usyk has already stated that he sees Deontay Wilder as his opponent in his last dance.” he said.

“It’s a potentially important matchup from a sports, media and international perspective.”

American Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel told BBC Sport: “If Deontay is offered a fight with Usyk he will accept it.”

The bout could be promoted by Zuffa Boxing, while Usyk could link up with the new promotional initiative for the final phase of his career.

Zuffa Boxing, spearheaded by UFC president White and backed by Saudi Arabian funding, is seeking to challenge boxing’s established promotional model by promoting its own champions rather than relying on the sport’s traditional sanctioning body belts.

“We are in direct talks with Zuffa Boxing at the highest level. No agreement has been signed at this stage,” Lapin said. he added.

“Zuffa Boxing is being considered as one of the potential partners of a major international event.

“The final structure will be determined by the interests of the fight, the combatants, and the overall scale of the project.”