Ukrainian heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk said he will fight three fights before retiring. The boxer made the announcement in a comment to Ring Magazine.
Oleksandr Usyk will make a voluntary defense of his WBC world heavyweight title against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May 2026. The World Boxing Council initially said the fight would be without a belt at stake, but later sanctioned the fight as a “voluntary belt defense.”
“After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has decided to authorize a voluntary defense of the WBC World Heavyweight Championship by Oleksandr Usyk against legendary kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven.”
Usyk's next opponent was supposed to be American boxer Deontay Wilder, but the teams failed to agree on the terms of the fight, and as a result, both boxers received other opponents. During negotiations with the American, Usyk noted that he planned to hold 2-3 more fights.
In a comment to Ring Magazine, the Ukrainian confirmed that he will fight three fights as a professional boxer. When asked if it will be three fights in three years, Usyk replied that it will be three fights, but the Ukrainian did not specify over what period. At the same time, in October 2025, the boxer noted that he plans to box until the age of 41.
“I have three more fights. Rico [Verhoeven] first, second is whoever wins between [Fabio] Wardley and [Daniel] Dubois, and my third fight is against my friend “Greedy Belly” Tyson Fury,” Usyk noted.
Usyk was also asked about a possible fight with WBO intercontinental champion Moses Itauma. But according to the Ukrainian, this fight will not take place.
“No, I'm not going to fight Itauma because he's a young guy. I don't want to break him.”
The fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven will take place on May 23. The fight will take place in Egypt against the backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza.