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 a farewell fight against Deontay Wilder in America.

The Ukrainian vacated his WBA ‘Super’, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles last week, but insisted he has not retired and wants “one last dance”.

Usyk, 39, is unbeaten in 25 professional fights and widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of his generation, while Wilder, 40, is a former world champion but well past his peak.

“Usyk has already stated that he sees Deontay Wilder as the opponent for his last dance,” Usyk’s team director, Sergey Lapin, told BBC Sport.

“It is a match-up with significant potential from a sporting, media and international perspective.”

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

The bout could be promoted by Zuffa Boxing, with Usyk potentially linking up with the new promotional venture for the final stage of his career.

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

“We are in direct discussions with Zuffa Boxing at the highest level. At this stage, no agreements have been signed,” Lapin added.

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

“The final structure will be determined based on what is in the best interests of the fight, the fighters, and the overall scale of the project.”