World heavyweight champion Usyk plans two more fights before retiring

LONDON, United Kingdom — World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk said Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) he intends to take on two more fights before heading into retirement.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian, who remains undefeated in the ring, also said that one of those bouts will be against the winner of the Daniel Dubois-Joseph Parker clash later this month.

Usyk defeated Britain's Tyson Fury to win all four of the major heavyweight titles last May, becoming the first undisputed champion in almost 25 years.

He gave up the IBF belt but retained the unified WBC, WBA and WBO championships with his repeat victory over Fury.

"I think two years, one and a half (left in boxing)," Usyk told Sky Sports.

"I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare for, not more. Just two."

He added: "I will fight (who wins) Joseph Parker, Daniel Dubois, no problem."

English fighter Dubois, the reigning IBF champion, was defeated by Usyk in 2023 but is keen to avenge that loss should he get past New Zealand's Parker in Riyadh on February 22.

"I'm just getting better, improving. They say when you win a world title you improve. So I feel like that's what's happening with me, I'm ready to show what I can do again and conquer whoever they put in front of me," Dubois told Sky Sports.