Oleksandr Usyk's ambitious three-fight retirement plan may face significant hurdles, according to boxing insiders. The unified heavyweight champion aims to fight former kickboxing world champion Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23, then face the winner of Fabio Wardley's title defence against Daniel Dubois, before a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury. However, the plan is fraught with complications.
After fighting Verhoeven, Usyk would be required by the WBC to defend his belt against interim champion Agit Kabayel. If he vacates the title instead, a fight with the Wardley-Dubois winner would lack the appeal of all four belts being on the line. Promoter Frank Warren expressed disappointment that Usyk previously turned down a WBO-ordered fight with Wardley, saying, 'Maybe he wants to get the four belts back, but he had those opportunities.'
A third meeting with Dubois would also be a hard sell, given Usyk's two stoppage victories over the Briton. Warren suggested an alternative: if Fury impresses against Arslanbek Makhmudov, a domestic clash between Fury and the Wardley-Dubois winner could headline a stadium event in September. 'It's a great fight, all-domestic affair,' Warren said, adding that the winner could then face the Usyk-Kabayel victor for all four belts early next year.
