![\"Usyk](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/oleksandr-usyk-faces-off-rico-1082768860.jpg\")
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Usyk and Verhoeven lock horns on Saturday in EgyptCredit: Getty<\/p>\n
Verhoeven, aptly nicknamed ‘The King of Kickboxing’, reigned supreme as Glory heavyweight champion for 12 years before his eventual retirement in 2025.<\/p>\n
The Dutchman is one of the best big men to ever grace the four-limbed sport, but without the use of\u00a0all of\u00a0his tools, he faces an uphill battle against Usyk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Most expect the bout to be over inside six rounds.<\/a><\/p>\n And, providing everything goes to plan, Saudi boxing chief Alalshikh has revealed that Usyk will be heading to Istanbul, Turkey, for his next assignment.<\/p>\n READ MORE ON BOXING <\/p>\n “I know he doesn’t want to talk about the future, but I want to give away a small secret,” said Alalshikh at Usyk and Verhoeven’s final press conference on Thursday.<\/p>\n “We are planning to do something amazing in Istanbul near Ayasofya, next year, Inshallah.”<\/p>\n Who is Oleksandr Usyk facing next?<\/p>\n While Alalshikh stopped short of explicitly naming Usyk’s dance partner, he has already made it clear that he wants to match the Ukrainian against Agit Kabayel in January.<\/a><\/p>\n Kabayel is Usyk’s WBC mandatory, and so a fight will be ordered by the major sanctioning body after the conclusion of the voluntary defence with Verhoeven.<\/p>\n The heavy-handed German had planned to return to his home country at the back end of the year, following the success of his January stadium showcase against Damian Knyba in Oberhausen.<\/p>\n However, he has now put his career on hold while he waits for his shot at Usyk.<\/p>\n What has Kabayel said about fighting Usyk?<\/p>\n “We talked with Frank Warren<\/a> and Spencer Brown, the plan is now to wait for Usyk-Verhoeven,” Kabayel told Ring Magazine earlier this year.<\/p>\n “I’m just waiting for the situation to sort itself out. <\/p>\n “Usyk will fight me or vacate the title, that [waiting] is the best option for me, and then the results will show themselves.”<\/p>\n Usyk has also recently opened the door to a fight with Kabayel.<\/a><\/p>\n What has Usyk said about fighting Kabayel?<\/p>\n “Maybe I will fight Kabayel,” Usyk told the Daily Mail.<\/a><\/p>\n “Maybe I don’t face\u00a0Tyson Fury<\/a>\u00a0for a third time, and I fight Kabayel instead.<\/p>\n 2<\/p>\n Kabayel is the mandatory challenger to Usyk’s WBC beltCredit: Getty<\/p>\n “I only say my plan, but that is not set in stone.<\/p>\n “I understand the Agit fans are saying you must fight him, you must fight him. But I don’t have to fight him.<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “Look, maybe it’s possible I fight Agit. All I can say is he’s a great fighter, and he’s very smart.”<\/p>\n Watch Boxing on DAZN<\/p>\n *If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue<\/p>\n Sign up to DAZN<\/a> to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.<\/p>\n Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate<\/a> from just \u00a324.99\/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.<\/p>\n Alternatively, DAZN Standard<\/a> is just \u00a315.99\/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.<\/p>\n![\"Agit](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779414071_575_agit-kabayel-celebrates-victory-title-974225971.jpg\")
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