Former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is reportedly already mapping out his fight schedule for 2027 and intends to hold two truly monumental bouts during that season. This was reported by Sport RBC.UA, citing Ring Magazine insider Mike Coppinger, who claims that the 39-year-old Ukrainian boxer is purposefully seeking only the biggest challenges in the global heavyweight division. According to the source, this approach explains Usyk's recent decision to voluntarily vacate his titles: the champion is “hunting big game” and does not want to be tied down to mandatory defenses.

Two Priority Options for 2027

Among the most realistic candidates for Usyk's next opponent, Coppinger highlights two fighters. The first is Britain's Tyson Fury, against whom the Ukrainian could face a third trilogy bout. However, this fight will only become possible if Fury defeats Anthony Joshua in Cardiff this December. The second, and according to the source, priority option is undefeated American David Benavidez, who plans to move up from cruiserweight to heavyweight and thereby secure a shot at a title fight with Usyk.

“Last Dance” with Wilder Under Threat

At the same time, a previously considered scenario — Deontay Wilder's “last dance” against Usyk in March 2027 — is now under threat of falling through. According to the publication, negotiations between the parties have stalled due to financial disagreements and an inability to agree on contract terms. Thus, out of the three discussed options, only the fight with Fury (conditional) and the bout with Benavidez remain active.

Vacating Belts and Context of Recent Fights

Usyk's decision to vacate his titles was made at the end of June: the Ukrainian voluntarily surrendered the IBF, WBC, and WBA belts, stating that after achieving undisputed status for the second time, he no longer needs to hold all the titles simultaneously. At the same time, he emphasized that he is not retiring and is exclusively looking for “big fights.” Usyk's most recent bout took place in May in Egypt, near the Giza pyramids, where he defeated renowned kickboxer Rico Verhoeven by technical knockout in the eleventh round.

Thus, Usyk approaches 2027 as a champion free from mandatory defenses, giving him the freedom to choose his opponent. The Ukrainian's final fight schedule is expected to become clear as the outcome of the December Fury-Joshua fight unfolds and negotiations with Benavidez's camp progress.