--- title: "Oleksandr Usyk at the Finish Line: 'I Am Not Made of Iron' — Champion Ready for Final Fight Against Wilder" description: "🥊 Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed that his next fight will be his last. The 39-year-old champion admitted to physical and psychological exhaustion and expressed a desire to dedicate time to his family. 👉 WBC, WBA, and IBF titles have already been vacated. 👉 Deontay Wilder is named as the main candidate for the role of the final opponent. 👉 Experts are debating: should Usyk risk his health for a final show? #Usyk #Boxing #Sports #News2026" date: 2026-08-07T19:20:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/usyk-final-fight-2026-en tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Oleksandr Usyk at the Finish Line: 'I Am Not Made of Iron' — Champion Ready for Final Fight Against Wilder ![Oleksandr Usyk in a gray Stone Island jacket, thoughtful look before the fight with Wilder](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/07/usik-posledniy-boy-2026/usik-posledniy-boy-2026-1.webp) On August 7, 2026, a fateful decision was announced by one of the greatest boxers of modern times. Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed world champion in two weight classes, confirmed that his next ring appearance will be his farewell. The 39-year-old Ukrainian admitted to deep physical and psychological exhaustion resulting from years of grueling training. In an exclusive interview published by The Athletic and reprinted by Sport RBC.UA, Usyk openly stated his intention to 'hang up his gloves' for the sake of his family and children. ### Physical Limits and the Desire to Draw a Line Unlike many colleagues who repeatedly announce retirement only to return to the ring a few years later, Usyk insists on the finality of his decision. 'I think I am facing my last fight. I do not know why boxers so often return to the ring after retiring. Take Tyson Fury, for example... We live with this sport for too long, so it is very difficult to say: 'It is all over for me'. But when you do your job for a long time, your body gets tired. Mine does too,' the athlete shared. Usyk emphasized that he is 'not made of iron and not an alien.' Grueling training camps, constant sparring, and the need to maintain peak condition for over a decade of professional career have taken their toll. Currently, the champion's priority is spending time with his family and raising his sons and daughters, which is impossible with the current schedule for title fights. ### Vacant Titles and the Search for a Final Opponent According to the publication, the Ukrainian champion previously decided to voluntarily vacate his WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, making them vacant. This unprecedented move relieves him of the obligation to defend the belts and allows him to focus exclusively on organizing a grand farewell show. The boxer's team is already working out several scenarios for the final bout. The most likely opponent for this decisive fight is named as American veteran Deontay Wilder. Usyk noted his readiness to offer the opponent's team the most favorable financial terms to conduct a 'grand and profitable battle for the last time.' Such a bout would be the ideal finale for two heavyweights legends, combining different styles and eras of boxing. ### Contradictory Data Despite Usyk's firm intention to retire after the next fight, there is disagreement within the expert community regarding the expediency of a bout with Deontay Wilder. A well-known coach, commenting on the situation earlier, urged Usyk to decline this fight, fearing for the Ukrainian's health and reputation. The coach pointed out that Wilder, despite his age, remains a dangerous opponent, and the risk of injury at this age could negate all achievements. On the other hand, Usyk's team and the boxer himself view this fight as an opportunity to earn money for the end of his career and give fans a spectacular event. While some sources (such as Focus) indicate that Usyk may retire 'in the coming days' without a fight, the athlete himself, in an interview with The Athletic, insists on the necessity of one final ring appearance, creating certain uncertainty regarding the dates and format of the farewell. ### Historical Context and Legacy Usyk's decision to retire at 39, while still the reigning champion, places him alongside the greatest boxers in history who left at their peak or immediately after. Vacating the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles opens a new era in the heavyweight division, where the fight for belts will start from scratch. Usyk, having become an undisputed champion in two weight classes, has already left an indelible mark on the sport, and his departure will be an event of global scale. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - ['Two More Fights, and That's It': Usyk Reveals When He Will End His Sports Career](https://focus.ua/sport/755586-aleksandr-usik-novosti-usik-rasskazal-kogda-zavershit-sportivnuyu-kareru) - Подтверждено по источнику focus.ua - ['Unfortunately, It's True': Usyk Urged to Immediately Retire and His Main... Named](https://www.obozrevatel.com/sport-oboz/k-sozhaleniyu-eto-pravda-usika-prizvali-nemedlenno-zavershit-kareru-i-nazvali-ego-glavnuyu-oshibku-v-boyu-s-verhovenom.htm) - Подтверждено по источнику obozrevatel.com - [Usyk May Retire in the Coming Days: Boxer's Team Director Shocked Everyone with His...](https://focus.ua/sport/758788-usik-mozhet-zavershit-kareru-direktor-komandy-sdelal-zayavlenie) - Подтверждено по источнику focus.ua - ['Usyk is a Beauty. But if Compared to...' Russia Named the Boxer Who Surpassed the Ukrainian](https://www.obozrevatel.com/sport-oboz/usik-krasavchik-no-esli-sravnivat-s-v-rossii-nazvali-boksera-kotoryij-prevzoshel-ukraintsa.htm) - Подтверждено по источнику obozrevatel.com