Oleksandr Usyk‘s next couple of fights are now seemingly mapped out, including a potential battle with his WBC mandatory challenger.
Talented southpaw Usyk holds three of the four major world titles and is the first man in the history of the four-belt era to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
He achieved that feat back in July when he knocked out Daniel Dubois for a second time, two years after his first win over ‘DDD’,’ but has since vacated the WBO belt rather than face Fabio Wardley.
After a time out to recover from a minor back injury, the Ukrainian all-time great has now announced that he will be fighting the unlikely opponent Rico Verhoeven in Giza, Egypt in what will be a voluntary defence of his WBC title.
Verhoeven is a Dutch professional kickboxer, professional boxer and mixed martial artist who has held the Glory heavyweight title for more than a decade and is regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers in the history of the sport.
He has fought just once in a boxing ring and that was a second-round KO win over Janos Finfera in April 2014, and returns to the squared circle on May 23.
In reaction to the news, WBC interim belt holder Agit Kabayel confirmed he will be the next defence for Usyk.
“It’s official. Just one fight to go. Then we’re next. Blow up the comments!”
Kabayel has beaten the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Frank Sanchez and Arslanbek Makhmudov, all by KO, and all since December 2023. He is 33 years old and a veteran of 27 fights so presents a tough test for anyone, and is – in the minds of most – well deserving of his shot. Whether or not Usyk gives him it or chooses instead to vacate the belt remains to be seen.
