While Oleksandr Usyk may have outlined his three-fight plan, a new contender has entered the fray, with the hope of landing a shot at the Ukrainian and claiming the unified heavyweight world titles.
Next month’s meeting with Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven kickstarts what Usyk anticipated to be a run of three fights of his choice before a planned retirement in 2027, with the victor of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois expected to be his next dance partner.
However, the WBC are expected to demand that Usyk fights mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel in his next fight, with promoter Frank Warren believing that he will be stripped if he fails to face the undefeated German.
Meanwhile, the WBA and the IBF titles are not on the line against Verhoeven and fight fans therefore wonder if Usyk could also soon be stripped of those belts.
Although, should Usyk retain the WBA crown, Jarrell Miller will be waiting for him, after winning a WBA final eliminator against Lenier Pero on Saturday night to rise into title contention.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV after his victory, ‘Big Baby’ told Usyk that there is nowhere to run or hide when you are facing him.
“He is a great fighter, man, but when you are fighting a bully like me, there ain’t nowhere to run or hide. Usyk doesn’t really have crazy punching power and he has a problem with guys that go to the body and throw a lot of punches.
That performance [against Pero] was just a glimpse of what I can do. So, the main thing is going and getting the drawing board back, let’s work and be ready for anybody.
After the Rico fight, I want Usyk to come back and I can spank him.”
If Usyk loses his WBA title, Miller could be in line for a title challenge against current WBA Regular titleholder Murat Gassiev, who would expected to be elevated to full champion. Although, Moses Itauma would likely get the first opportunity at a proposed scrap with the Russian.
