DAZN News Daily Round-Up - Usyk links rebuffed, Hitchins ordered, Taylor foe mooted

DAZN News rounds-up up boxing's biggest stories for Thursday, February 26.

Usyk refutes Zuffa claims amid fiery exchanges

Oleksandr Usyk appears to be gearing up for a return to the ring for the first time since last July - but it will not be under Zuffa Boxing.

The star's promoter Sergey Lapin blasted speculation that his man was joining the Dana White-led organisation for his next encounter.

"There are reports [...] claiming Oleksandr Usyk has allegedly signed a contract," he wrote on social media. "This information is not true."

It comes as Zuffa continues to make waves across the sport's traditional hierarchy, with major questions still to be asked on their future.

Hitchins ordered to mandatory with Delgado

Matters have gone from bad to worse for Oscar Duarte after his failed attempt to challenge Richardson Hitchins this month in Las Vegas.

Due to face the latter for the IBF light-welterweight belt, the star has now been passed over following the late cancellation of their bout.

Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

The governing body has ordered Hitchins to take a mandatory challenger in the shape of Lindolfo Delgado for what will be his next fight.

It leaves Duarte in limbo after his opponent withdrew from The Ring; High Stakes at short notice last weekend to leave him frustrated.

Taylor offered Cameron for Dublin farewell

Katie Taylor has confirmed she will hang up her gloves after a major Irish homecoming this summer, with the star eyeing a goodbye at Croke Park.

Now, one potential foe has come onto the radar for her farewell, in the form of rival Chantelle Cameron, for what could be a seismic trilogy bout.

Taylor's lone loss came to the star in 2023, but the London 2012 avenged matters in an immediate rematch to square their records at one apiece.

As quoted by Sky Sports News, backers Most Valuable Promotions would be keen for Cameron to enter a winner-takes-all affair with her old dance partner.

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