OLEKSANDR USYK has broken his silence on reports he’s inked a shock deal with Zuffa Boxing.

The former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion is currently a promotional free agent and has already held talks with the TKO Group and Saudi-backed promotion.

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Numerous reports have claimed that Oleksandr Usyk has inked a shock deal with Zuffa BoxingCredit: GETTY
 

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The Ukrainian has broken his silence on the rumours through a statement from his teamCredit: REUTERS
And in the wake of Conor Benn‘s shock move to Zuffa last week, which ended a TEN-YEAR relationship with Matchroom, it was claimed that Usyk has also put pen-to-paper with Dana White‘s latest combat sports venture.

But Team Usyk have firmly DENIED suggestions he’s set to become the Las Vegas-based promotion’s latest acquisition.

A statement from Usyk’s Ready To Fight team read: “Friends, there are reports circulating in the media claiming that Oleksandr Usyk has allegedly signed a contract with Zuffa Boxing.

“This information is not true.

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“We ask that rely exclusively on official statements from our team.”

Claims that pound-for-pound king Usyk had penned a contract with Zuffa heated up after the Ukrainian teased an imminent major announcement about his future.

In posts on his Instagram and X accounts, the 39-year-old wrote: “Not rushing, but getting ready for something big.”

Usyk hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley last July.

Benn to return on Fury vs Makhmudov on Netflix against 37-year-old ex-champ

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The Home of Boxing in 2026

There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!

It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.

Tyson Fury will make his return in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov, Conor Benn features for the first time since making the switch to Zuffa Boxing and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.

Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.

Derek Chisora will fight for the 50th and (perhaps) final time against Deontay Wilder, while Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.

A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.

Here’s all the big fights coming up…

February

Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN

March

Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
Sat 21 – George Liddard vs Tyler Denny – British & Commonwealth Middleweight title – DAZN
Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN
Sat 28 – Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman – Amazon Prime PPV

April

Sat 4 – Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora – DAZN PPV
Sat 11 – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Netflix
Sat 11 – Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis – Netflix
Sat 18 – Callum Smith vs David Morrell – DAZN
Sat 18 – Manny Pacquiao vs Ruslan Provodnikov
Sat 25 – Mike Tyson vs Floyd Mayweather
Sat 25 – Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka – DAZN

May

Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN
Sat 9 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video

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His masterclass at the home of English football saw him become a two-time undisputed king of the heavyweights.

He was expected to face Fabio Wardley in his next outing after the Brit became interim WBO champion with a controversial 11th-round stoppage of Joseph Parker last October.

But he snubbed a potential showdown with the East Anglia assassin by vacating the belt the following month.

Wardley was elevated from interim to full champion following Usyk’s vacating of the belt and will make his maiden title defence against Dubois in Manchester on May 9.

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Oleksandr Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their rematch last JulyC