DEONTAY WILDER dropped a retirement bombshell by suggesting he plans to quit boxing after his Tyson Fury trilogy fight.
The Bronze Bomber steps back into the ring on Saturday night to try and win back the WBC heavyweight belt he lost last year.
But at the age of 35, that could be his 45th and final bout, especially with no rematch clause.
Speaking on the Last Stand Podcast, Wilder said: “I can feel it getting close, retirement.
“I’m seeking one champion, one face, one name.
“The only way I will be able to retire is if I achieve [that].
“The faster I can get that, the faster I can retire and get the hell out of here.”
However, victory for Wilder over Fury would mean he could take on Oleksandr Usyk for the right to become undisputed heavyweight champ if the Ukrainian beats Anthony Joshua again.
BETTING SPECIAL: GET 30/1 ON FURY OR 50/1 ON WILDER FOR HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CLASH
So asked if Usyk is top of his hitlist, the Bronze Bomber said: “Most definitely. I like what Usyk is saying.
“He predicted that I would knock Fury out, he said he had no doubt that he would knock Joshua out and after that he wanted to get straight to it because he’s older and he means business.
“I feel that he’s an honourable man. I think he will stick to his word.
“A lot of people get the belt and then start acting funny with it but with him, he is a warrior and I’m looking forward to it.
“This is it. This is to close the book of me and Fury. This is it.”
Ironically, Fury also hinted he could hang up his gloves after this weekend’s showdown – and therefore never face Joshua.
Speaking on the BBC’s 5 Live podcast, he said: “Listen, I could walk away today and never look at boxing again. I’ve done what I’ve done and it can never be taken away.
“People would always remember the enigmatic Tyson Fury, the crazy man who fought everybody. Wasn’t bothered about nobody.
“Even the biggest punchers in our generation didn’t faze him. Went across the pond, fought [Wladimir] Klitschko in Germany.
“No-one can say anything about me other than I did what I did and that’s it and be proud of it.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk