Oleksandr Usyk’s Future Plans
Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion, has some significant plans in mind as he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career. He is set to face renowned kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The Ukrainian fighter, not yet ready to step away from the ring, looks forward to making a memorable impact before he eventually retires.
Usyk’s Perspective on Boxing and Media
Though Usyk’s career has undeniably established him as one of the foremost heavyweights of his time, he has distanced himself from the trend of boxers entering the ring with personalities from outside the sport, such as YouTube star Jake Paul. Usyk expressed a sense of camaraderie with Paul in a recent conversation with The Associated Press, stating:
“I don’t know because Jake (is) my friend now. A fight with Jake is not possible, I think.”
Usyk’s comments come in stark contrast with how other boxers, including former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, have engaged with non-traditional boxers for financial gains and a broader fan reach.
Jake Paul has gained notoriety by challenging established fighters, having faced famous boxers including Floyd Mayweather and MMA champion Conor McGregor, and recently being knocked out by Joshua. Although fights like Paul’s attract global attention, Usyk recognizes that such bouts serve more as entertainment spectacles. He explained:
“It’s a media fight aimed at drawing even more people into professional boxing and combat sports in general. Everything that happens in today’s world is a show; it’s all like a movie. And we are simply actors in that movie.”
Usyk’s Commitment to Boxing
Usyk, maintaining an undefeated record of 24-0 with 15 KOs, emphasizes his commitment to the sport even as he prepares for a unique match against Verhoeven — a decorated kickboxer with a professional boxing record limited to a single fight back in 2014. The Dutch fighter, boasting an impressive kickboxing resume of 66 wins against 10 losses, encapsulates the blend of combat sports that Usyk hopes to showcase, describing the matchup as a “very good media fight.”
As Usyk signals his intention to face traditional boxing challengers after these media-centric bouts, he is already laying out plans that include a highly anticipated fight with Tyson Fury—an opponent he has bested twice before. Despite skepticism from critics who see this fight with Verhoeven as a mismatch, Usyk prepares diligently, employing cognitive training techniques that involve stimulating his brain akin to a muscle workout, thus enhancing his quick decision-making skills in the ring.
Life Beyond the Ring
The 39-year-old champion has taken on additional responsibilities outside the ring, such as becoming the chief discipline officer for a language learning application, which he integrates into his daily training. This unique approach not only keeps his brain sharp for boxing but also grants him a mental respite amidst the rigor of training. Usyk admitted:
“In the ring, when I’m boxing, for me, that’s where I’m really ecstatic. I don’t like training. I don’t like doing this incredible work every single day. But I know it will simply help me perform better in the ring.”
With these upcoming projects and fights on the horizon, Usyk seems set to blend his competitive spirit with a media-savvy approach, ensuring that, even in an evolving landscape of boxing, he remains a prominent figure until the very end of his career.
