Usyk’s showing against Verhoeven aside, there is no suggestion from the champion that he will not grant Kabayel his wish. That was the plan, after all. Beat Verhoeven, stare at Kabayel in the ring in the aftermath, then agree to the fight. But Usyk’s performance, after he came in at his heaviest ever weight, may not have been lost to the man at the heart of it. Usyk, 39, may now feel like his days of taking on fearsome heavyweights has come to an end. Whether he walks into retirement or grants Verhoeven a return, there are certainly easier routes for Usyk to take than those involving Agit Kabayel.
