Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven at risk of being moved with ‘plan B’ under consideration

Oleksandr Usyk’s bout with Rico Verhoeven is reportedly at risk of being moved from Egypt amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Usyk is currently set to face former Glory Kickboxing champion Verhoeven on May 23 in the shadows of the Pyramids of Giza.

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However, the Ukrainian’s team are considering their options due to safety concerns in the region.

“The team is 100% looking at plan B,” Usyk told Ukrainian publication Suspline Sport.

Although Egypt is not directly involved in the war, the United States categorises the country as a “Level 2” travel risk, advising tourists to “exercise increased caution due to terrorism, crime, and health.”

For now, all Usyk can do is place his trust in his handlers and not let the situation affect his training.

“I don’t think about it at all,” Usyk continued.

“I know I have to train, and if something happens, the team tells me, and I’m not nervous. I just pray, and that’s it.”

Usyk opens up as a considerable 1/20 favourite against Verhoeven, who has only competed in one professional bout.

That sole outing came in 2014 when he halted 0-6 journeyman Janos Finfera in two rounds.

Despite the disparity in experience, the WBC have decided to sanction the fight as a voluntary world title defence.

Usyk’s WBA and IBF belts will not be on the line.

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Usyk is taking Verhoeven as seriously as any other opponent

“My training doesn’t change, I prepare for each opponent just as seriously,” Usyk added.

“I train against myself, I’m the toughest opponent for myself, because the chances are equal.

“Sometimes my friend Sasha comes up and says: ‘Maybe we should rest?’, and I say to him: ‘You go rest, and I need to work.’

“Serious training, we train, we don’t have any relaxation, for example, we ran 10 km, and now 5 km – no, we ran 10 km, and now 11 km.

“Training is in full swing, the only thing is that today I just walked.

“But it’s also good for the heart, for the legs, for the training the day before yesterday. Because who are we to skip a leg day?”

Boxing schedule

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