In a recent revelation, the unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, has outlined his plans for the final chapter of his illustrious career. The Ukrainian maestro has dismissed speculation of a bout with the up-and-coming heavyweight sensation, Moses Itauma, instead setting his sights on a trio of high-profile encounters.
Usyk, who holds an impeccable record, insists he has just three fights left in his decorated career. The first of these is scheduled for May 23 in Egypt, where he will defend his WBC heavyweight world title against former kickboxing champion, Rico Verhoeven. This will be Verhoeven’s second professional boxing match, adding an intriguing dynamic to the contest.
The 39-year-old champion has made it clear that he has no interest in facing the 21-year-old Itauma, who is currently the number one contender to Usyk’s WBA title. “I don’t want to fight with Itauma, because he’s a young guy,” Usyk stated. “I don’t want to break this guy. He’s a guy like me.”
Instead, Usyk is targeting the winner of the upcoming clash between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, as well as a potential third meeting with Tyson Fury. “Rico is first,” Usyk explained. “Second is who wins between Wardley-Dubois, and the third fight is my friend, ‘Greedy Belly’ Tyson Fury.”
Usyk has already stopped Dubois twice and has opted to relinquish his WBO title rather than face Wardley, who will defend that crown for the first time since being elevated to full champion against Dubois on May 9 in Manchester.
Meanwhile, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman has stated that the winner of the Usyk-Verhoeven bout will be ordered to face interim champion Agit Kabayel. Kabayel’s promoter, Frank Warren, insists that Usyk must face his charge or vacate his title.
“His next fight will be ordered, which will be against Agit,” Warren stated. “If he doesn’t want to fight Agit, then he’ll have to vacate the belt, and he can fight the winner of one of them [Wardley or Dubois]. But Agit is and deserves and will fight for the world title. Whether it’s Oleksandr opposite him or not, he will be there as the challenger for the world title.”
With these announcements, Usyk has set the stage for an exciting conclusion to his remarkable career, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these pivotal heavyweight showdowns.
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