Fans are wondering what the future holds for Oleksandr Usyk after his fight with Rico Verhoeven.
Usyk established himself as the best heavyweight in modern history after claiming victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, all on two occasions each.
It saw the Ukrainian become undisputed heavyweight champion twice, and having cleaned out the majority of the division he then took a controversial showcase fight against kickboxing legend Verhoeven.
While it was expected by most boxing fans that it would be a straightforward win for Usyk, it ended up being an extremely competitive affair, with Verhoeven winning a lot of rounds and appearing to be on the brink of one of the biggest upsets in history.
That changed when Usyk knocked down the Dutchman in round 11, and while Verhoeven was able to get back to his feet, a further flurry led to referee Mark Lyson jumping in and waving off the fight, with many viewers believing it was done so far too early.
It has led to questions over what Usyk should do next, whether it be a rematch against Verhoeven, or the long overdue clash with WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel.
Usyk’s team director Sergey Lapin has now given an insight into what his man may do next, telling Betpack that the only way the Ukrainian will return is if it’s a ‘major event.’
“Who will Usyk fight next? Right now, everything depends on two things: the right offer and the champion’s own desire.
“Oleksandr has nothing left to prove. He is now in a position where he chooses what interests him next. Neither outside pressure nor social media discussions will influence his decisions.
“If the next fight happens, it will be because it is truly a major event.”
Saudi chief Turki Alalshikh has teased a big show in Istanbul in 2027, so a potential fight with Kabayel could indeed tick the box of being the major event that Usyk desires.
