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Usyk Vacates Titles, Pursues Farewell Bout with Wilder

7/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk announced he vacated his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles to seek a farewell fight.
Team director Sergey Lapin said American former champion Deontay Wilder is the opponent Usyk wants.
Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel said Wilder would accept the fight if offered.
Negotiations with UFC president Dana White’s Saudi-backed Zuffa Boxing are ongoing but no agreement is signed.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao delivered a record-breaking bout that pulled $72 million gate and set a new PPV ceiling. That financial benchmark spurred promoters to chase cross-promotional heavyweight matchups, prompting Oleksandr Usyk and Saudi-backed Zuffa Boxing to negotiate a Deontay Wilder showdown, a deal that could again reshape heavyweight economics.

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Story summary

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk announced he vacated his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles to seek a farewell fight.
Team director Sergey Lapin said American former champion Deontay Wilder is the opponent Usyk wants.
Wilder’s manager Shelly Finkel said Wilder would accept the fight if offered.
Negotiations with UFC president Dana White’s Saudi-backed Zuffa Boxing are ongoing but no agreement is signed.

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