Usyk Considers Dropping Fury Trilogy for Avoided Heavyweight Bout
Oleksandr Usyk has signaled flexibility in his final fights. The unified world champion left the door open to alternatives to a third bout with Tyson Fury.
Upcoming crossover at the Pyramids
Usyk will face Rico Verhoeven in a crossover event. The match is set for the Pyramids of Giza and will stream on Netflix on May 23.
The fight follows a rapid rise through cruiserweight and heavyweight ranks. Usyk already holds wins over top rivals at heavyweight.
Roadmap toward retirement
After the Verhoeven spectacle, Usyk said he plans just two more fights before stepping away. One contender would be the winner of Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois.
The other bout has been discussed as a third meeting with Tyson Fury. Usyk has beaten both Fury and Anthony Joshua twice already.
Pressure from the rankings
Agit Kabayel expressed frustration after being left off Usyk’s suggested short list. Kabayel holds an unbeaten record of 27-0 with 19 knockouts.
His resume includes wins over Derek Chisora, Kevin Johnson, Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, and Zhilei Zhang. He has publicly questioned why a mandatory challenger was not prioritized.
Public exchanges and media remarks
Kabayel accused Usyk of prioritizing payday over mandatory obligations in comments carried by RTL/ntv and sport.de. The dispute drew attention on social media and in boxing circles.
Usyk responded in an interview with the Daily Mail. He said his plans are not fixed and that fighting Kabayel remains possible.
Context around Fury and other threats
Tyson Fury has his own plans. His roadmap may include a comeback bout with Arslanbek Makhmudov and a domestic showdown with Anthony Joshua.
That uncertainty informed Usyk’s recent statements. He suggested he might avoid a trilogy and opt for other opponents instead.
What this means for fans
Fans now await formal announcements. Negotiations and mandatory status could shape the final fight list for Usyk.
Filmogaz.com will monitor developments as talks progress. Expect updates on opponent confirmations and official dates.
