Oleksandr Usyk’s team manager Serhii Lapin has responded to rumors that the world heavyweight boxing champion has signed a Zuffa Boxing contract.
The TKO Group-owned property has been generating headlines of late, having already lured Conor Benn from Matchroom on a reported $15 million, one-fight deal. The British slugger joins a roster likely still in its infancy, albeit one fortified by the cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, 360 Promotions fighters Callum Walsh, Serhii Bohachuk, and Omar Trinidad, and red-hot American prospects Jalil Hackett and Robert Meriwether III.
Speculation this week suggested the two-weight boxing champion Usyk, a gold medal winner from the 2012 Olympic Games and one of the very best fighters in the modern era, was next in line to join the Las Vegas-based upstart fight firm.
But that’s been quashed by Lapin.
“Friends, there are reports circulating in the media claiming that Oleksandr Usyk has allegedly signed a contract with Zuffa Boxing,” Lapin said on X.
“This information is not true.”
He finished: “We ask that you rely exclusively on official statements from our team.”
Usyk had been linked with a crossover fight against legendary kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, a bout that had been mooted behind-the-scenes as a possible February fight for Anthony Joshua, following the British boxer’s bludgeoning of Jake Paul.
Following a tragic car accident Joshua was involved in, one in which claimed the lives of two of his close friends, he has taken time away from the sport with his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting a July return is more likely.
This appears to have led the way for boxing financier Turki Alalshikh to consider instead Verhoeven for Usyk, though promoter Frank Warren likes the upcoming fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois as the next-in-line for the No.1 in the division. Dubois, though, has challenged Usyk twice before — both times unsuccessfully. Should Wardley win, then he’d, at least, present Usyk with a fresh opponent.
Posting on Wednesday, the same day as Lapin’s statement, Usyk said on X: “Not rushing, but getting ready for something big.”
Zuffa Boxing, meanwhile, announced its “full list of current athletes” this week. Usyk was not listed.
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