“I can defeat Ussyk” – Floyd Mayweather makes a shocking statement and confirmed with Oleksandr Usyk a fight in 2026

At 1:10 AM +07 on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the boxing world has been shaken by a surprising statement by Floyd Mayweather Jr., who said with boldness: “I can beat Ushk.” In a video up to his social networks, just minutes before, the legendary American fighter, retired since 2017 but known for his exhibitions, revealed that he has reached a preliminary agreement with Oleksandr Usyk for a tentative scheduled combat for 2026. This news comes after Usyk’s dominant victory over Daniel Dubois on July 19, consolidating him as an undisputed tricampe Heavy, and has unleashed a whirlwind of reactions between fans and analysts, who wonder if this fight will really be realized or if it is another Mayweather promotional maneuver.

The context of the challenge

Oleksandr Usyk, 38, has reaffirmed his status as the best pound for Libra after knocking Dubois in the fifth round in Wembley, extending his impeccable record to 24-0. His dominance over Tyson Fury in 2024 and his recent triumph have raised their legacy to historical levels, with legends like Lennox Lewis praising their technique and mentality. However, the heavy division seems to be at a turning point, with Tyson Fury demanding a third fight for April 2026 and Joseph Parker by pressing WBO as a mandatory contender. In the midst of this panorama, Mayweather’s entry, 48, with a 50-0 record, adds an unexpected turn.

Mayweather, who has not fought professionally since his victory over Conor McGregor in 2017, has maintained its relevance with exhibitions and media appearances. His statement of “I can defeat Ussyk” suggests renewed confidence, possibly motivated by the financial success of past events and the interest of Turki Alalshikh, who has invested millions in Riyadh Season fights. Although there are no official details about the category of weight or the place, Mayweather said in the video: “I have spoken with the Ussyk team, and we are working on this by 2026. It will be something that the world will not forget.”

USYK’s response and reactions

At 1:05 am +07, Usyk responded briefly in X with: “Floyd, let’s see if you can.” This answer, although cryptic, indicates a willingness to consider the challenge, although its current approach seems to be resting after the fight with Dubois and planning its next movement against Parker or Fury. The ambiguity of his comment has fed speculation about whether he will accept to go down to an intermediate weight or if Mayweather will try to climb the heavy ones, an unlikely scenario given his history in lighter categories.

Social networks exploded immediately, with #Mayweatvsusyk and #puedovencero Trending at 1:10 AM +07. Mayweather fans celebrate their boldness, tweeting: “Money is back to teach lessons!” While Usyk’s followers doubt, saying: “Ussyk will destroy it, Floyd is old.” Analysts such as Teddy Atlas have expressed skepticism, suggesting that it could be a movement to negotiate a lucrative exhibition, not a professional fight, given the physical contrast and the age of Mayweather.

Speculations and verification

The idea of a confrontation between Mayweather, who never exceeded 154 pounds as a professional, and Usyk, a heavy one of 215-220 pounds, raises logistics doubts. Nearby sources indicate that negotiations could focus on an agreed weight, possibly around 180-190 pounds, but this would require a significant effort of both. Mayweather’s history includes victories about Manny Pacquiao (2015) and a technical domain that kept him undefeated, but his last competitive fight was eight years ago. Ussyk, on the other hand, has demonstrated exceptional adaptability, beating larger opponents such as Joshua and Fury.

There is no official confirmation of the NSAC or the CMB at 1:10 AM +07, and the mention of 2026 could align with the Fury-Usek trilogy proposed for April, suggesting that Mayweather seeks to capitalize on Riyadh Season’s impulse. The lack of details about the bag or the format (professional vs. exhibition) maintains uncertainty, but Mayweather’s history in generating media interest supports the possibility that this will advance, at least as a promotional event.

What does this mean?

If concretized, this fight could be a generational shock between Mayweather’s impeccable technique and USYK’s versatility, with potential to exceed 100 million dollars in PPV revenues. For Mayweather, it would be an opportunity to add another chapter to its undefeated legacy, while Usyk could use this platform to consolidate its global status. However, age and weight difference could limit their viability as a professional combat, bowing more towards an exhibition with adapted rules.

At 1:10 am +07, while the boxing world digests this bomb, everything indicates that the next few weeks will reveal whether this statement is a lantern or the beginning of a historical event. With Usyk resting and Mayweather moving the threads, the outcome promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.