Oleksandr Usyk has stated that he feels at peace with his decision to hang up his gloves, also confirming he will be sticking to the previously reported three-fight retirement\u00a0plan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs), the current IBF, WBA and WBC heavyweight world champion, will meet kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in another extravagant Ring Magazine card at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23. Following a predicted routine win\u00a0against the\u00a0Dutchman, Usyk has said that he would like to face the winner\u00a0between\u00a0Fabio\u00a0Wardley\u00a0and Daniel Dubois, who contest for the WBO belt on May 9. The Ukrainian superstar added that he wants to end his career in a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury in 2027, in an interview with Ring Magazine<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThree days\u00a0ago,\u00a0I thought about this date,\u201d Usyk told\u00a0Daily Mail\u00a0Boxing\u00a0regarding\u00a0his impending retirement. \u201cHow\u00a0I say\u2026\u00a0and\u00a0what\u00a0I say?\u00a0Listen,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0close.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Mandatory challengers are\u00a0constantly\u00a0piling up for 39-year-old southpaw, currently under pressure from WBA and WBC interim champions Murat\u00a0Gassiev\u00a0and Agit\u00a0Kabayel\u00a0to fight or vacate his respective championship belts<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNow,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0enjoying what I do,\u201d\u00a0Usyk added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When asked if he was emotional about ending his career, he responded: \u201cNo, no.\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0just hot in my heart and cold in my mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile,\u00a0Fury returned to action after a brief retirement to comfortably outpoint Arslanbek Makhmudov<\/a> at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11. Fury\u2019s three fight plan<\/a> first includes a\u00a0long-awaited\u00a0domestic showdown with Anthony Joshua followed\u00a0by\u00a0a redemption match against\u00a0Usyk.\u00a0<\/p>\n Usyk\u2019s storied career has seen him win a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games and become an undisputed cruiserweight champion in 15 professional bouts. The Ukrainian has also become undisputed champion twice at heavyweight but has come under criticism for fighting Verhoeven (1-0) due to having\u00a0very little\u00a0boxing experience.<\/p>\n