Oleksandr Usyk Branded 'Average' After Retirement Decision

Oleksandr Usyk has been labeled 'average' by boxing legend Johnny Nelson, but the Ukrainian plans to have one more fight before retiring. The 39-year-old vacated all his heavyweight titles after defeating Rico Verhoeven in May.

What happened?

Oleksandr Usyk recently stunned the world of boxing by vacating all his heavyweight titles just days after defeating Rico Verhoeven in Egypt. The Ukrainian is currently enjoying some time off following his most recent appearance in the ring - a contentious 11th round stoppage victory over Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt, in May.

Why it matters for Oleksandr Usyk

The 'Cat' does not plan on retiring just yet, and is expected to have at least one more contest before officially hanging up the gloves. When it's all said and done, the Ukrainian will go down as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of his generation. The former two-division champion has largely remained relatively unstoppable since his professional debut 13 years ago.

What comes next?

According to boxing legend and ex-cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson, Usyk is quite simply an 'average' southpaw. Speaking on the Fight Your Corner podcast, in partnership with Midnite, he sensationally admitted: "As a southpaw, he is average." Replying to Nelson's remarks, Tony Bellew said: "I tried to lull him in with that. All I needed to do was draw his lead.

The thing that caught me out the most was his footwork. Never in my career have I got tired, but I was so exhausted that night," while Nelson added: "As far as I am concerned, Tony was outboxing and outthinking Usyk until he got gassed. He showed he had the skill to beat him.

Oleksandr Usyk branded 'average' after retirement decision.

Regardless of Nelson's comments, Usyk is planning on sticking around for a tad longer. In a video on social media, he said: "It's a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold. I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them.

"I'm leaving the belts but I'm not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance." He added: "I want to thank everyone. I have great respect for all organisations. I want to thank everyone and say more to come."

It would appear that Usyk has a two-man hit-list for his final fight after stunning reports emerge that the Ukrainian is open to facing Deontay Wilder or former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones next. That's according to Usyk's team director Sergey Lapin.

It seems as if Wilder is the front-runner for a fight with the 'Cat' in America before the end of the year. Lapin confirmed that the team are in direct talks with Dana White and Turki Alalshikh backed Zuffa Boxing for Usyk's retirement fight.

"We are in direct discussions with Zuffa Boxing at the highest level. At this stage, no agreements have been signed," he told the BBC. "Zuffa Boxing is being considered as one of the potential partners for a major international event.

"The final structure will be determined based on what is in the best interests of the fight, the fighters, and the overall scale of the project. Usyk has already stated that he sees Deontay Wilder as the opponent for his final fight.

Oleksandr Usyk is set to have one more fight before retiring, with Deontay Wilder and Jon Jones reportedly in the running to face the Ukrainian in his final bout.

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