OLEKSANDR USYK has announced a shock and major career change.
The pound-for-pound boxing star returns to the ring on August 26 in Poland against Britain’s Daniel Dubois.
It comes after talks broke down earlier in the year for a historic, first four-belt heavyweight unification clash.
Usyk is now deep in training for his next title defence but it comes while confirming a stunning move to Ukrainian football team FC Polissya.
The unbeaten champion last year came on as a substitute for the club in a friendly match.
But now he could play for professionally after signing a one-year deal with the the first-division side.
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Usyk had previously promised he would sign if the club got promoted, which they accomplished.
And the heavyweight proved good to his word as the transfer was revealed but Usyk’s exact involvement with the team remains a vague.
A statement read: “The president of the club Hennadiy Butkevich and Oleksandr Usyk concluded an official agreement on football cooperation for one year.
“Usyk will perform under number 17. Expect other details of the contract later.”
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Usyk and Fury failed to agree terms for their undisputed decider amid a row over financials for a potential rematch.
So Fury, 34, is now facing ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou, 36, on October 24 in Saudi Arabia.
And Usyk, 36, will honour his mandatory defence against Dubois, 25, after being ordered into the bout.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
