Zuffa Boxing plan to make Oleksandr Usyk vs Deontay Wilder in March 2027

Zuffa Boxing in talks for a Spring showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Deontay Wilder in the U.S.

Two-weight undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk is actively pursuing a high-profile clash with Deontay Wilder for early next year.

The modern great vacated all his heavyweight world titles in June with the intention of having one last professional contest before retirement, and has reportedly held discussions with Zuffa Boxing about staging the event.

Usyk's advisor, Serhii Lapin, recently told Ring Magazine's Mike Coppinger that negotiations are progressing between both camps for a March 2027 date somewhere in the United States.

The Ukrainian slickster has had his sights on Wilder for some time and had been in discussions to face 'The Bronze Bomber' late last year.

In the end, Wilder opted to box his old pal Derek Chisora, resulting in Usyk pivoting to a crossover clash with kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven.

Neither man looked particularly convincing in their last outings, with the signs of decline laid bare for all to see.

Usyk, 39, narrowly escaped disaster by scoring a controversial 11th-round stoppage after a sluggish start.

Meanwhile, Wilder looked every one of his 40 years as he edged veteran Chisora on points in an ugly slugfest.

Whilst Wilder remains at the top of Usyk's hit list, the former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion told The Athletic last month that he has a contingency plan.

“Why not?” Usyk said. “If Deontay’s team wants it, I do it.

"Money, business… now we have two options, but what for me is good, we will take. The team is working on it.”

While he stopped short of naming names, a fight with MMA icon Jon Jones has previously been teased by Usyk's team.

That would, however, require the American to get out of his deal with the UFC.

A rematch with Verhoeven also wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility, given that many believe referee Mark Lyson stepped in too early.

Usyk revisited his fight with Daniel Dubois to put all doubts to rest after claims were made that a low blow which floored him in their first fight was above the belt and perfectly legal.

In that rematch, though, there was the added incentive of the IBF belt.

Usyk and Verhoeven would fight merely for pride.

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh had initially hatched plans for Usyk to face Agit Kabayel, followed by a sequel with Verhoeven.

But after he relinquished his WBA, WBC and IBF belts, his WBC mandatory obligation with Kabayel was voided.