CAIRO, EGYPT - MAY 23: Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after beating Rico Verhoeven in their WBC World Heavyweight Title during the Glory in Giza - Fight Night at The Pyramids Of Giza, on May 23, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images). | Getty ImagesOleksandr Usyk shocked the boxing world on Friday when he relinquished his multiple heavyweight boxing titles and announced his plan to retire after one last dance.Fighters from across combat sports jumped on the opportunity to call him out, including kickboxing champ Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven took Usyk to the brink of defeat in front of the pyramids of Giza last month before a ridiculous referee stoppage spoiled the end. Unfortunately for Rico, Usyk already has his plans set.Eddie Hearn was speaking to media before Saturdays DAZN Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Boots Ennis fight and spilled the beans.Eddie Hearn talks Usyk and says he believes he will be fighting Deontay Wilder next.Follow @yourboxingfix for e everything boxing!#boxing#eddiehearnpic.twitter.com/qXXO49HbmZ yourBOXINGfix (@yourBOXINGfix) June 28, 2026I think hes accomplished everything, Hearn said of Usyk. Hes earned the right to do whatever he wants. So hes gonna fight [Deontay] Wilder next, I believe. And thats just the fight that he wants to take. Hell go all business, and hell say, Wheres the most amount of money I can get for that fight? And that that will be him done.You know, I think maybe hes realizing, does he want to be put under the pressure of an ordered fight and twenty eight day negotiation and then the purse fee, and then you have to take part in the fight in the next ninety days? Does he wanna go to Germany and fight [Agit] Kabayel?The answer to those rhetorical questions is No. Usyk got a lot of heat from boxing fans and sanctioning organizations for slowing down a bit following his two fights with Tyson Fury in 2024. People questioned his injuries, they questioned what he was doing in his free time. They torched him after the Verhoeven fight. So were not surprised that hed decide to leave now.A fight with a somewhat resurgent Deontay Wilder will be fun, if not the most challenging bout Usyk could have picked. But ten years from now, having the last top named heavyweight on his record will prove that the Ukrainian heavyweight faced and beat all his peers.

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Ben Stokes told his England teammates he was retiring from international cricket during an emotional speech inside the dressing room which appeared to catch them off guard. Stokes choked on his words as he told the Test team his time as their captain would end after the current Test match, the decider in a three-game series with New Zealand at Trent Bridge. He declined to elaborate on why he was walking away, and why now, instead urging them to finish on a high.He said: Theres something I know is going to happen over the next two days, which is going to be [that] this is my last two days as your captain, and my last two days representing England.Reasons can wait [as to] why. But Ive had many trips to the well before for this team, for you blokes, for people beforehand and Ive got one more trip to do. The only thing that I ask, please, is can everyone else please just do the same? Weve got a lot of hard work still to do, and the only thing that I want is to be able to walk off the end of that field, regardless of the result, knowing that Ive had this group ... give everything for the last two days.One of England's all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match.Ben, you have been the most inspirational captain, leader and legend this team could have ever hoped for. We love you so much and wish you pic.twitter.com/U5grq0F0kj England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2026When the news was announced at Trent Bridge it drew a standing ovation from the crowd, and Stokes, playing in his 122nd test, took a wicket with his first ball afterwards.The 35-year-old, who made his international debut in 2011, has captained England's test team since 2022. A talismanic figure known for his fearless batting and defiant leadership, Stokes helped England win their first 50-over World Cup seven years ago with an unbeaten 84 in the final.His unbeaten 135 at Headingley the same summer, which guided England to a one-wicket win over Australia after they had been bowled out for 67 in the first innings, is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test innings of all time.Stokes added: The only thing is want is just for everyone to give it, not only for me, selfishly, but also for this team and everything else that weve got going forward for you blokes. All the taps on the arse, all the emotion, all that kind of stuff, please can it just wait until the end of this game? Because weve still got a s***load more work to do, and Ive got a s***load more work that I want to do. Lets just go out there and f***ing give absolutely everything for another two days, alright? Because thats my only intention and thats where all my energy is right now. Got the emotional side out of it, but now its time to work. And everyone else, please just come with me.