Oleksandr Usyk will not face a ranked fighter upon return to boxing
July 2025 was the last time we saw heavyweight kingpin Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO’s) step between the ropes.
The Ukrainian dismantled Daniel Dubois in five rounds to clinch the undisputed throne for a second time at heavyweight, and a third time in his career to date.
However, after vacating the WBO title over facing mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley, Usyk has shown little interest in looking to reclaim his undisputed status in the near future.
Instead, he has toyed with a box-office battle with Deontay Wilder – which looked almost set in stone before ‘The Bronze Bomber’ shockingly announced a clash with British heavyweight veteran Derek Chisora.
Usyk is still planning a ring return, but opponents have seemed few and far between, with the 37-year-old taking little interest in any of boxing's rising stars.
Instead, he appears to be looking towards other avenues, with rumours circling pointing to an eventual matchup against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven.
Promoter Frank Warren admitted that the rumours are true, before revealing the Queensbury stable does not plan to sit around and wait for a chance to fight ‘The Cat’
“He’s going to have a fight against an MMA fighter,” Warren told Seconds Out.
“So he may not fight or defend his titles by the end of the year. All of these mandatories, and most of the guys are with us, they’re not going to sit around waiting.”
Frank Warren currently manages the likes of Moses Itauma, Daield Dubois, Agit Kabayel, and prize man Fabio Wardley – all of whom sit in the upper echelons of the heavyweight ranks and who are keen to continue forging a lasting legacy within the division.
