Eddie Hearn believes Deontay Wilder will provide Oleksandr Usyk’s farewell opponent after the Ukrainian gave up the chance to become a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

Speaking to reporters after Jaron Ennis defeated Xander Zayas on Saturday night, Hearn outlined why he believes Usyk has chosen to walk away from every heavyweight title before one final fight.

“He’s going to fight Wilder next, I believe. That’s just the fight that he wants to take,” said Hearn.

The Matchroom boss also dismissed suggestions Usyk owed the sport anything more.

“He’s earned the right to do whatever he wants.”

No Three-Peat

Usyk’s decision to vacate every heavyweight championship ended any possibility of becoming a three-time undisputed ruler in boxing’s four-belt era.

Instead of chasing another run at history, the unbeaten Ukrainian removed every mandatory challenger, sanctioning body obligation and purse bid from the equation when he vacated every heavyweight title.

The move also changed the direction of the heavyweight division overnight, handing the belts back to the sanctioning bodies while allowing Usyk to choose his farewell entirely on his own terms.

The phrase “Last Dance” inevitably brings to mind Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ famous documentary chronicling the end of their dynasty after completing a second three-peat.

In Usyk’s case, however, there will be no three-peat. By surrendering every belt, he has chosen one final fight over another attempt at heavyweight supremacy.

Hearn believes the motivation is straightforward.

“He’ll just go to all bidders, and he’ll say, ‘Where’s the most amount of money I can get for that fight?’ And that’ll be him done.

“I think maybe he’s realizing, does he want to be put under pressure of an order of a fight at a 28-day negotiation and then a purse bid, and then you have to take part in the fight in the next 90 days?

“Does he want to go to Germany and fight Kabayel?

“You know, is he slipping? I don’t know, but I think he’s earned the right to do whatever he wants.”

Last Dance

A showdown with Wilder would represent one of the last true glamor fights available in heavyweight boxing.

Although Hearn has pushed the matchup back into the spotlight, it is far from a new idea. WBN has documented Usyk’s pursuit of Wilder throughout 2025 and 2026with Team Director Sergey Lapin confirming the Ukrainian had targeted the former WBC heavyweight champion since 2020 before the fight ultimately gave way to Rico Verhoeven.

A meeting with Wilder could finally take Usyk to the United States, where he has long spoken about facing the American. If Zuffa becomes involved in boxing’s heavyweight landscape, Las Vegas would arguably become the frontrunner to stage the fight.

Saudi Arabia would also remain an obvious destination given Turki Alalshikh’s continued involvement in the sport’s biggest events.

The United Kingdom cannot be ruled out either after Wilder traveled there to face Derek Chisora, proving he is willing to cross the Atlantic for the right opportunity.

Rico Verhoeven Remains

However, Wilder is not the only realistic ending to Usyk’s career.

The Ukrainian ultimately faced Rico Verhoeven beneath the Pyramids of Giza after the long-discussed Wilder fight failed to materialize earlier this year.

Although Usyk won by eleventh-round stoppage, many felt the result settled very little. The controversial finish denied fans a final round and left many believing Verhoeven deserves another opportunity to complete the story.

That leaves Usyk with two compelling choices.

Wilder is the glamor fight.

Verhoeven is the unfinished business many would argue still deserves its conclusion.

Usyk has ensured there will be no three-peat. Whether his Last Dance belongs to Wilder or Verhoeven, the decision is now his alone.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.