Oleksandr Usyk’s Retirement Decision Soon

Oleksandr Usyk’s (25-0, 16 KOs) team director Sergey Lapin has raised the prospect that the unified heavyweight champion may never fight again, saying a final decision on his future is expected by the end of the week.

“When a fighter has achieved everything Oleksandr has achieved, every appearance becomes special. It is possible that fans have already seen him in the ring for the last time. Or maybe there is still one more chapter left. We will know very soon,” Lapin

Usyk’s last outing ended in controversy, with Rico Verhoeven’s appeal of his 11th-round stoppage loss rejected by the commission despite the bell having sounded before the referee waved off the fight. Agit Kabayel has emerged as one of the leading candidates for a potential next fight, though Lapin was clear that public pressure will play no part in any outcome. Lapin also outlined what a serious offer would need to look like to bring Usyk back.

“Agit Kabayel is an excellent fighter, a worthy champion and a man we respect. There is nothing personal here. But fights of this magnitude are not made through social media or public pressure. A serious offer, backed by serious people, the right commercial structure, broadcasters and site fee support — that is how the biggest fights in the world are made,” Lapin