The Ukrainian has been enjoying the last few months with his family, but has recently been spotted training ahead of a return to the ring this year
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| Oleksandr Usyk could fight Deontay Wilder this year(Image: ) |
Oleksandr Usyk's comeback fight could take place in front of a record 150,000 fans.
The 38-year-old has not fought since his destructive fifth round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in July at Wembley Stadium. Ahead of his clash with the Brit, the Ukrainian hinted that 2026 could be his last year as a professional boxer. However, just a few months removed from his win over 'Triple D,' Usyk made a stunning revelation that he intends to retire at the age of 41.
"I train every day. Yesterday morning I arrived and immediately went to the training hall. I train with the goal of entering the ring next year and, with God's help, winning," he said. He added: "I will box until I am 41. And then I will build a Sports Academy and train there, and I will train there."
Usyk was seemingly due to fight Ipswich star Fabio Wardley next after the latter scored a brutal knockout win over Joseph Parker back in October. But the 38-year-old stunned fans after he gave up his WBO title just days after Wardley's triumph in London. Usyk is now expected to return to the ring this year and is eyeing up a fight with Deontay Wilder, as he looks to wipe out a generation of heavyweight superstars.
The two-time undisputed heavyweight champion has already defeated Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice, and is now hoping to add 'The Bronze Bomber' to his CV with San Francisco planning to stage a world-record boxing event. The largest crowd for a boxing event is 135,132 and was set back in August 1941 when Tony Zale fought Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
YouTube is spearheading plans for a boxing show that could set a new record crowd of nearly 150,000 fans. The project, which will be formally announced today, will form part of the ‘Iconic’ series, set to include a wide range of events throughout the year from IVisit Boxing.
The promoters are pushing for Usyk to be involved - despite the fight card not being finalised yet. Organisers are expected to turn San Francisco's Civic Center Plaza into an 'open-air boxing arena,' with the ring constructed in front of the City Hall. Much to the delight of fans, the vast majority of tickets are set to be available at no cost.
IVB chief Ed Pereira told the Mail: “We are open to working with all promoters, managers, content creators and fighters, so of course we’d be open to speaking to boxer of that calibre, who wouldn’t want Usyk on their card? It’s going to be more than just a fight. What attracted us to YouTube, and YouTube to us, was that commitment to cultural moments.
“It’s all about creating a cultural moment – a cultural moment in the city of San Francisco, a cultural moment in California, and a cultural moment for the world. Anybody can go and put a show on and just produce it live on their own YouTube channel… but we are doing exactly the same as what the NFL did.
“This partnership with YouTube puts us in the next league. Boxing fans want to see the biggest fights and they want to see the biggest fights on the biggest stages. But, ultimately, I want to make it accessible to the casual fan… and everyone has YouTube on their phones.”
- James Evans
