Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has given an update on his retirement after stopping Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their Wembley fight on Saturday night.
The Ukrainian fighter secured the IBF belt to complement his existing WBA (Super), WBO and WBC titles, yet his thoughts immediately turned to his wife Yekaterina and their four children.
Speaking after the bout, the 38-year-old champion acknowledged that whilst the victory provided motivation for potential future contests, his immediate focus centres on reuniting with his family following an extended period of separation.
The champion disclosed that training demands had kept him away from his loved ones for three and a half months, preventing him from witnessing his children's development during this period.
PA
|Oleksandr Usyk opened up on the demands of his training
"Three-and-a-half months, I'm not seeing my family, my wife, my children. It's training, training, training. My children grow, but I do not see this. I want to give more time to my family,"
When asked about his immediate plans, Usyk emphasised his need for recuperation and family time. "I want rest next. I want to go back home with my family. I don't know what I do next, but now I wanna rest," he stated.
JUST IN: Inside Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin's relationship and family life - and why she won't leave him
This prolonged absence from home highlights the personal sacrifices required at elite boxing's highest level, with the fighter acknowledging the toll that continuous preparation takes on family relationships.
READ MORE: Boxing fans slam Jake Paul over Oleksandr Usyk moment after Daniel Dubois KO: 'Disrespectful'
PA
|Daniel Dubois was knocked down in the fifth round
The champion shared a touching moment from before the contest, revealing his daughter's supportive phone call. "My daughter called me before the fight 'Hey papa! I pray for you. Papa, I think you win.' I said 'OK, we'll see, we'll see,'" Usyk recounted.
Following his victory, she watched on television and exclaimed: "Papa, you did great!"
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Reports indicate that retirement could be imminent for Usyk, with suggestions that he may have just one bout remaining in his career.
Despite his remarkable accomplishment, the champion remained characteristically modest about his standing in boxing. "I don't know. Because I think, for me, first is Jesus Christ. When I make myself higher? God says 'hey, listen!'. I don't know. I'm not the best of the best," he told Mail Sport.
PA
|The undisputed champion has revealed he wants to spend time with his family
Usyk also offered generous words about his defeated opponent's prospects, suggesting the 27-year-old Dubois could reclaim championship status. "If he can continue training, I think Daniel can take a belt again," the Ukrainian observed, endorsing his rival as potentially representing the heavyweight division's future.