Oleksandr Usyk and the Choice of His Last Fight: Between Sport, Money, and Legacy
Oleksandr Usyk the undisputed world heavyweight champion, Olympic champion, and a national symbol has reached the final stage of his sporting career. After a resounding victory over Daniel Dubois, he publicly stated: “My next fight will be my last.” More and more journalists, fans, and sports experts are watching closely as he chooses his final opponent. This question has long gone beyond the boundaries of sport it concerns Usyk’s status, money, viewing records, and his place in history.
First on the list is Tyson Fury. It was with him that Usyk fought what is perhaps the most important fight in modern boxing. The British heavyweight, a three-time world champion, did not hide his desire for a rematch after defeat and dreamed of a trilogy at London’s Wembley Stadium in 2026. However, recently, Fury unexpectedly changed his rhetoric: “I’m too old to come back, boxing is a young man’s game.” Fury officially refused the idea of a third fight, saying he no longer has the motivation to get back in the ring.
The second option is Joseph Parker. The New Zealander, the official WBO contender, has thrown open challenges to Usyk several times. After the Ukrainian’s victory over Dubois, Parker even recorded a video message in the style of “Take On Me,” stating: “I want to be Usyk’s next opponent.” However, sources confirm that there are no real negotiations between the teams at the moment, and Parker is rather an option in case other scenarios fall through.
The loudest intrigue is Jake Paul. The American YouTube-boxer and showman has been actively looking for ways to legitimize his career in recent years. Usyk’s team has confirmed: active discussions are underway about a possible MMA fight with Paul in 2026. Such a bout could become not only a financial record but also a global event a clash of two worlds, classic boxing and modern pop culture.
Motives and Risks: From Sporting Legacy to Marketing Strategies
Fury is a story about legacy and revenge. “I would like to meet Usyk again, but I no longer have the strength or desire…” with these words, the British champion summed up his position. For Usyk, this would be a chance to firmly establish his dominance by finishing a historic trilogy.
Parker is a chance to remain in classic boxing. His inclusion in the shortlist is a recognition of the New Zealander’s professional level, but the level of intrigue and resonance, compared to Fury or Paul, is much lower.
Jake Paul is an explosive mix of sport and show business. Usyk’s team director, Serhiy Lapin, said in a comment to talkSPORT: “We are discussing with Paul’s team. It could be a new format MMA. More details will be announced later.” For boxing and MMA, this is a potential record profit and viewership, and for Usyk the risk of leaving the ring not with the ending his career deserves.
A View from the Outside: Market and Expert Reactions
While negotiations continue, promoters, bookmakers, and sponsors are competing for the right to participate in the loudest event of the year. Analysts emphasize: “Choosing Paul is a game-changer. Usyk could become the first undisputed champion to risk his image for the sake of an experiment.” In turn, fans of traditional boxing urge Usyk to leave his legacy in the sport, not in show business.
Usyk’s Future as a Mirror of Modern Sport
Usyk, known worldwide as a humble, ironic, and at the same time principled champion, faces a final choice. Will his last fight be a symbol of pure sport, a historic rematch, or an experiment with pop culture this depends not only on him, but also on market demands, contracts, and the modern rules of the game.
In any case, it will be more than just a fight. It is a challenge to the whole industry, the embodiment of a new era in sport, where the line between fame, money, and eternity is blurred.
About the Author
