Oleksandr Usyk Announces His Future Plans
Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion, has revealed his intention to fight three more times before retiring. The first of these bouts is scheduled for May 23 in Egypt, where the Ukrainian boxer will face Rico Verhoeven. The match will take place in Giza, near the pyramids, promising to be a spectacular event for boxing fans worldwide.
The WBC, WBA, and IBF have already sanctioned this fight, each imposing different conditions regarding the titles:
- The WBC has granted permission for a voluntary defense of Usyk's belt;
- The WBA has confirmed the possibility of defending the championship title;
- The IBF will count a Usyk win as a title defense, but if he loses, the belt will become vacant.
At stake in this matchup are the WBC and The Ring titles, with the winner also receiving a special commemorative WBC 'King of the Nile' belt.
Usyk's Recent Fights and Reflections
Usyk's most recent bout took place in July 2025, where he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round. That victory earned him his third undisputed world championship, but he later vacated the WBO title, losing his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
'Three fights, including the one against Verhoeven, and then it's over. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but once I say I've retired, I won't come back.' Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk also noted that the fight with Verhoeven will be 'completely different' and promised it will be a 'great show.' He emphasized that he is 100 percent ready and considers Verhoeven a worthy opponent: 'This isn't an easy path. No matter who I face, I am fully prepared.'
Usyk's announcement of his plan to fight three final bouts underscores his determination to close out his professional boxing career on a high note. The matchup against Rico Verhoeven, set in one of the world's most iconic locations, could be a landmark event not only for the boxer himself but for the entire sports community. Given the sanctioning of titles by major boxing organizations, this fight carries particular significance for Usyk's legacy and potential shifts in the heavyweight division.