Oleksandr Usyk next title fight plotted if he gets past Rico Verhoeven in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk is being lined up to fight Agit Kabayel later this year if he beats Rico Verhoeven.

The unified Ukrainian heavyweight king defends his WBC belt against Dutch kickboxing legend Verhoeven in a wild spectacle at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt later this month.

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Also on the card, Brits Hamzah Sheeraz and Jack Catterall have respective title bouts, while Frank Sanchez takes on Richard Torrez Jr in an IBF heavyweight final eliminator.

Despite Verhoeven oozing confidence to make history for his meeting with Usyk, the latter is understandably an overwhelming favourite to get his arm raised in Egypt.

So plans are already being discussed for Usyk’s future beyond the Verhoeven fight.

The 39-year-old has already suggested he will make just two more ringwalks after the contest before retiring.

Well, according to Ring Magazine, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh plans to talk to Usyk about fighting Kabayel next, if he gets past Verhoeven.

They report Alalshikh wants Usyk to enter enemy territory to face the undefeated German in his backyard towards the back end of 2026.

Usyk has changed his tune on Kabayel fight

In March, Usyk reopened the door to facing Kabayel before he hangs up the gloves.

He had previously said that his path after Verhoeven will be the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois before a trilogy with Tyson Fury.

“Maybe I will fight Kabayel,” Usyk told the Daily Mail.

“Maybe I don’t face Tyson Fury for a third time and I fight Kabayel instead.

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“I only say my plan, but that is not set in stone.

“I understand the Agit fans are saying you must fight him, you must fight him. But I don’t have to fight him.

“I must live my life, I must look after my team, my children. As for fighting, I just work hard and my opponents work hard.

“Look, maybe it’s possible I fight Agit. All I can say is he’s a great fighter and he’s very smart.

Kabayel retained his WBC interim heavyweight title against Damian Knyba in Oberhausen, Germany, last time out.

The 33-year-old had a clear message after his win.

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“I have waited so long for this title shot,” he said with the crowd chanting Usyk’s name.

“Last time I beat three monsters in the Riyadh Season. Give me the world title fight. I’m ready.

“Really, I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Kabayel fought three times in Riyadh between 2023 and 2025 in his first professional fights outside of Europe.

He stopped the last man to fight Fury, Arslanbek Makhmudov, in December 2023, before continuing his momentum with wins against Sanchez and Zhilei Zhang.

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.