12 hours ago
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Oleksandr Usyk has binned his retirement plans and wants to build his legacy for at least two more years.
However, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world will not step in the ring with Moses Itauma, who had been mooted for a blockbuster clash.
Usyk, 38, had previously suggested he would only fight once more next year.
In his last fight in July, the Ukrainian obliterated Daniel Dubois in five rounds at Wembley to reclaim his undisputed crown.
That win bumped him up to third in the all-time heavyweight rankings compiled by Daily Mail Sport's boxing doyen Jeff Powell, with only Muhammad Ali (first) and Joe Louis (second) ahead of him. And it appears he has unfinished business.
'I'll fight until I'm 41,' Usyk told the Ready to Fight website. 'Then I'll build a sports academy - I'll train there and train others.'
Oleksandr Usyk, 38, has suspended his retirement plans and will fight until he is 41
However, he has ruled out a showdown with WBO mandatory challenger Moses Itauma
Usyk was commanded by the WBO to take on interim champion and mandatory challenger Joseph Parker, but the Ukrainian took time away due to a back injury.
He is now back in training but Parker will fight Fabio Wardley instead on October 25. Usyk and Parker may attempt to get their bout off the ground down the line.
It is unclear who exactly he will take on next. After Usyk's win over Dubois, Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh made it clear that he wanted the Ukrainian to fight rising British star Moses Itauma.
The Cat has a history of bringing Brits down - just ask Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, or Dubois - but that record would not dissuade Itauma.
But Usyk has shot down any idea of him taking on the 20-year-old, saying: 'No, I won't fight Itauma. He's young - always teasing me. And he said himself he doesn't hit grandpas.
'I can't say who exactly [I'll fight next] because negotiations are ongoing. I'd be lying if I gave you a name.'
Usyk has an invincible record of 24 wins out of 24 and has knocked out 15 opponents in that time.
Away from boxing, he enjoys playing football, and it would be interesting to see if he increases his engagement with that once he hangs up his gloves.
Usyk's last fight was a knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley in July but he has been injured
After all, he did tell the Ring Podcast earlier this year that he plans to be a football player after retiring.
'I am a professional player. I have a contract with the Ukrainian team, Polissya,' he said.
'[They play in the] highest league, Polissya. It is a Ukrainian team.
'Listen, I support for a long time Dynamo Kyiv because the first time I went to the professional stadium [with my dad].
'It is a club with a lot of history but Polissya gave me the opportunity and I signed a contract.
'But in the future, I will score a goal [against Dynamo].'
Usyk has already made his debut for Polissya. In 2022 he came on as a substitute in a friendly while the club were in Ukraine's second division.
He even had a chance to score, spurning a close-range chance just 39 seconds after entering the field of play as he lunged for the ball and missed it completely.
