A compulsory in opposition to Agit Kabayel? A rematch with Rico Verhoeven? What subsequent for Oleksandr Usyk after his dramatic victory in entrance of the pyramids.
Usyk survived an almighty scare, stopping Verhoeven within the last second of spherical 11 simply because the Dutch kickboxer threatened to tug off one among boxing’s biggest upsets.
On an evening when the champion regarded uncharacteristically susceptible, the shockwaves of his efficiency have rippled throughout the division, leaving the heavyweight panorama – and Usyk’s choices – immediately huge open.
Agit Kabayel
The WBC necessary challenger has been ready patiently for his shot at Usyk and now he’s in pole place.
After beating Verhoeven, Usyk should defend his WBC title in opposition to Kabayel subsequent or else face being stripped of the belt.
Kabayel was at ringside to witness Usyk’s efficiency and received into the ring to put down his problem to Usyk in particular person.
“First of all, congratulations Oleksandr,” he stated. “I’ve waited for this example for therefore lengthy, I’m prepared.
“Germany is waiting for the fight. I know many Ukrainian people live in Germany. Let’s do the fight in Germany in a stadium. Boxing fans want this fight, let’s do it.
Usyk replied: “OK, no drawback. Brother. I’m prepared.”
Rico Verhoeven rematch?
Oleksandr Usyk stops Rico Verhoeven within the Eleventh spherical of their WBC heavyweight title match in Egypt
The prospect of a right away rematch gained momentum virtually as quickly as the ultimate bell sounded.
Ring Journal CEO Rick Reeno joined Kabayel within the ring, as did Turki Alalshikh, who made it clear that Verhoeven’s efficiency had shifted the dialog.
The Dutchman could have fallen quick, however he pushed Usyk to the brink in a manner few anticipated – and that alone has strengthened requires a second assembly.
Alalshikh outlined his imaginative and prescient for the way the following chapter ought to unfold, balancing necessary obligations with the urge for food for a blockbuster return bout.
“This is the choice of Usyk. This is not the right time,” he stated. “He [Kabayel] is in line, but Rico deserves a rematch after Kabayel. We want to see Kabayel, and then the rematch with Rico in Holland.”
A rematch within the Netherlands – Verhoeven’s dwelling turf – could be an enormous industrial occasion, and given how shut he got here to producing a seismic upset, their is urge for food to see it once more.
Frank Sanchez
Cuban Frank Sanchez (left) threw his title within the hat to struggle Usyk after beating Richard Torrez Jr
Recent off his devastating second‑spherical knockout of Richard Torrez Jr in an IBF last eliminator, Frank Sanchez wasted no time throwing his title into the combo.
The Cuban has lengthy been touted as some of the prevented fighters within the division, and with momentum behind him, he made it clear he desires his shot on the very high.
“I’ve been working the whole time in the gym with my team, kept myself right waiting for this opportunity,” he stated.
“It came, I took it, and now I’m ready for whoever is next. Usyk, we’re ready for you whenever you want.”
Time catching up with Usyk?
Oleksandr Usyk defends WBC world title in opposition to Rico Verhoeven
Was this efficiency the primary indication that point could also be creeping up on Usyk?
The 39‑yr‑outdated, who weighed in at a profession‑heaviest 16st 9lb, regarded unusually flat in the course of the center rounds – the very section of a struggle the place he sometimes takes management.
His reactions had been slower, his ft a contact heavier, and for lengthy stretches he was being pushed again by a person with just one skilled boxing bout to his title.
Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, who misplaced his title to Usyk in 2018, believes Verhoeven uncovered vulnerabilities within the Ukrainian which have by no means surfaced earlier than.
“It’s the only time in his whole career I’ve seen Usyk outworked on a consistent basis. At the back end of each round, he was losing and getting out‑landed.
“Rico Verhoeven has come out of this a winner. His hand may not have been raised, however given what we anticipated, he almost sprung the largest shock boxing has ever seen.
“We’ll never know whether Verhoeven would have made it out for round 12, so we should probably do it again. It’s the least that boy deserves after the performance he’s just put in.”
Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki on Zuffa Boxing present in Bournemouth in June 6, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
