Oleksandr Usyk has a plan for the final fights of his career and they just might involve Alex Pereira.
The UFC light heavyweight champion recently said on the JAXXON podcast he is interested in a crossover boxing bout with Usyk. 2024 was a banner year for Pereira, also a former UFC middleweight champion, as he headlined three UFC events with successful defenses of his 205-pound title.
Usyk also had a memorable 2024 campaign, twice fighting and twice beating the previously undefeated Tyson Fury in a pair of high-profile bouts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to claim undisputed heavyweight champion status. There are few worlds left for Usyk to conquer (he also previously reigned as the undisputed cruiserweight champion), so a bout with Pereira makes sense, even if it’s an exhibition and even if he awaits the challenger of an upcoming title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker first.
“First is, who wins the next [Dubois vs. Parker] fight on Feb. 22,” Usyk told TNT Sports Boxing. “Next maybe a ‘show fight’ with Alex Pereira. Maybe. Why not? Alex wants to.”
Usyk’s wins over Fury boosted his pro record to 23-0, while Pereira has suffered just one loss in 10 UFC appearances. A matchup of any kind between the two combat sports stars would undoubtedly draw massive mainstream interest.
That’s likely less true should Usyk end up rematching Dubois, who Usyk knocked out in the ninth round in August 2023, but the Ukrainian star thinks Dubois should worry about Parker first anyway.
“I think it’s a bad idea to make [a fight with] Daniel because Daniel has a future fight,” Usyk said when asked what he thinks of a second fight with Dubois. “He say, ‘Hey, listen, I want a rematch.’ Please, make work on Feb. 22, if you win, welcome.”
Usyk was also asked if he felt his rival Fury was truly retired after “The Gypsy King” announced he was hanging up the gloves this past January. He doubts that Fury is done for good and expects fans will see him again after he’s had a chance to recharge.
“I think no, because Tyson’s a great man, a showman,” Usyk said. “Maybe, but I think Tyson a little bit rest, with his family, drink beer, and back in the ring. I think.”
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