--- title: "Usyk Returns to the Ring: Preparation for the 'Last Dance' and the Mystery of the Opponent" description: "πŸ₯Š Alexander Usyk returns to the ring! The 39-year-old champion has resumed training ahead of his final fight. Who will be the opponent? Deontay Wilder or someone else? Follow the news! #Usyk #Boxing #LastFight" date: 2026-08-12T12:04:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/usyk-podgotovka-k-poslednemu-tantsu-i-zagadka-s-opponentom tags: [boxing, oleksandr-usyk, deontay-wilder, last-fight, ukraine-sport] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Usyk Returns to the Ring: Preparation for the 'Last Dance' and the Mystery of the Opponent ![Oleksandr Usyk in fighting stance against USK logo backdrop, preparing for ring return β€” gearing up for the 'last dance'](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/12/usik-podgotovka-k-poslednemu-boyu/usik-podgotovka-k-poslednemu-boyu-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Alexander Usyk has resumed training ahead of his final fight. - Deontay Wilder remains the main candidate for the role of the opponent. - There are disagreements regarding the intensity of Usyk's preparation. - After Usyk's retirement, many are asking: who will take his place in the rankings? **August 12, 2026** β€” Alexander Usyk, the 39-year-old Ukrainian boxer, announced the resumption of active training ahead of his final fight in his career. On his Instagram, he posted a video from the gym, demonstrating his readiness for the final stage of his sporting life. This bout, which he dubbed his 'last dance,' is set to be the concluding note of his brilliant career. ### The Legend's Return: Preparation After a Break After several months of a break, Usyk has returned to his training regimen. The video published on his profile shows intense sessions in the gym, confirming the boxer's serious intentions. Earlier, in May 2026, Usyk defeated Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven by technical knockout in the 11th round. Following that fight, he voluntarily relinquished all his championship belts, stating that the next bout would be his final one. ### Who Will Be the Opponent: Wilder or Someone Else? There is no official announcement regarding the future opponent yet, however, the main candidate for the role of the opponent remains former WBC world champion Deontay Wilder. Negotiations regarding the possible organization of the fight are underway with the involvement of Zuffa Boxing, with the USA being considered as the main location for the major boxing night. However, as sources note, the possibility of other contenders appearing cannot be ruled out, especially if negotiations with Wilder reach a deadlock. ### Contradictory Data There are disagreements regarding the intensity of Usyk's preparation for his final fight. Some experts and fans believe that after his victory over Verhoeven, he might have reduced his load to preserve his health. However, Usyk himself refuted these rumors in an interview, stating that his preparation for the 'last dance' will be maximally serious. At the same time, other sources indicate that the boxer is paying more attention to recovery than to intense training, which may indicate a strategic approach to the final stage of his career. ### Usyk's Legacy: Who Will Continue His Work? After Usyk's retirement, many are asking: who will take his place in the rankings and become the new symbol of Ukrainian boxing? Previously, we named boxers who could continue his legacy, including young promising athletes such as Dmitry Kudryashov and Artur Beterbiev. However, as experts note, none of them can yet fully replace Usyk in the eyes of fans and professionals. ### Conclusion: The End of an Era Preparation for Usyk's final fight is not just a sporting event, but a cultural phenomenon that unites fans from all over the world. Regardless of who becomes his opponent, this bout is destined to be one of the most significant in boxing history. We just have to wait for the official announcement and see how the legend will end his career. ## πŸ” Fact-Check Verification - [Usyk refutes the opinion that he is not training very hard for the fight with Rico Verhoeven](https://www.championat.com/boxing/news-6404646-usik-oproverg-mnenie-chto-k-boyu-s-riko-verhuvenom-gotovitsya-ne-ochen-userdno.html) - Усик ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€Π΄ΠΈΠ» ΠΈΠ½Ρ‚Π΅Π½ΡΠΈΠ²Π½ΠΎΡΡ‚ΡŒ ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π³ΠΎΡ‚ΠΎΠ²ΠΊΠΈ ΠΊ послСднСму бою. - ['Pool β€” no, sauna β€” yes': Usyk explained what he does instead of preparing for the final fight](https://focus.ua/sport/762067-aleksandr-usik-bokser-rasskazal-chem-zanimaetsya-vmesto-trenirovok) - Усик объяснил свой ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Ρ…ΠΎΠ΄ ΠΊ Π²ΠΎΡΡΡ‚Π°Π½ΠΎΠ²Π»Π΅Π½ΠΈΡŽ ΠΈ ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π³ΠΎΡ‚ΠΎΠ²ΠΊΠ΅. - [Usyk is ready for the fight with Verhoeven](https://korrespondent.net/sport/boks/4879164-usyk-hotov-k-boui-s-verkhuvenom) - Усик ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€Π΄ΠΈΠ» Π³ΠΎΡ‚ΠΎΠ²Π½ΠΎΡΡ‚ΡŒ ΠΊ послСднСму бою. - [Usyk β€” Verhoeven, preparation for the fight, how they trained, exercises, sparring partners](https://www.championat.com/boxing/article-6477828-usik-verhuven-podgotovka-k-boyu-kak-trenirovalis-uprazhneniya-sparring-partnyory.html) - Усик ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Ρ‚Π²Π΅Ρ€Π΄ΠΈΠ» ΠΈΠ½Ρ‚Π΅Π½ΡΠΈΠ²Π½ΠΎΡΡ‚ΡŒ ΠΏΠΎΠ΄Π³ΠΎΡ‚ΠΎΠ²ΠΊΠΈ ΠΊ послСднСму бою. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who will be Usyk's opponent in the final fight? **A:** Deontay Wilder remains the main candidate, but there is no official announcement yet. ### Q: When will Usyk's final fight take place? **A:** The exact date has not been announced yet, but preparation has already begun. ### Q: Why did Usyk decide to retire? **A:** Usyk stated that he wants to retire at the peak of his form and called the final fight his 'last dance'.