Oleksandr Usyk is reportedly weighing up three final opponents for what will be the last fight of his storied career, with Jake Paul surprisingly among the options. Usyk, 38, recently cemented his legacy by becoming a three-time undisputed champion after knocking out Daniel Dubois at Wembley. With prior wins over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian boxing icon has hinted that he has just one more bout left before retirement.
According to Ukrainian broadcaster 112 Ukraine, a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury remains on the table. Fury, who was twice outpointed by Usyk in Saudi Arabia, had announced his retirement in January but has since teased a comeback in 2026, potentially aiming to complete the trilogy at Wembley.
Another name being considered is Joseph Parker. The WBO has mandated that Usyk defend his title against the 33-year-old New Zealander or vacate the belt. However, Parker’s team claims that no negotiations have started yet.
The most unexpected yet potentially most lucrative option is a crossover fight with Jake Paul. The 28-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer currently holds a 12-1 record in the ring and is reportedly in talks with Usyk’s team. But the bout would not take place in a boxing ring – it would be in the MMA cage.
Sergey Lapin, a member of Usyk’s team, said they are considering options that make sense both in terms of sport and global interest. According to Lapin, almost every fighter has called out Jake Paul, but their case is different. For Usyk, it’s about something non-standard – MMA – which levels the playing field. Lapin explained that while Jake has some experience in MMA, Usyk would have to adapt quickly, but the result could be a massive global event.
Talks are already ongoing, and if everything aligns, the fight could take place early next year.
