Oleksandr Usyk’s options assessed after stunning 11-round victory over Rico Verhoeven in Giza | Debate News

Liability against Agit Kabayel? A rematch with Rico Verhoeven? What’s next for Oleksandr Usyk after his incredible victory in front of the pyramids.

Usyk survived a major scare, stopping Verhoeven at the last second in round 11 when the Dutch boxer threatened to pull off one of boxing’s worst upsets.

On a night when the champion looked unfairly vulnerable, waves of his performance swept across the division, leaving the heavyweight landscape – and Usyk’s options – suddenly wide open.

Agit Kabayel

The WBC champion has been patiently waiting for his shot against Usyk and now he’s in great shape.

After defeating Verhoeven, Usyk must defend his WBC title against Kabayel next or face having the belt stripped.

Kabayel was there to see Usyk’s match and entered the ring and personally challenged Usyk.

“First of all, congratulations to Oleksandr,” he said. “I have been waiting for this situation for a long time, I am ready for it.

“Germany is waiting for a fight. I know there are many Ukrainians living in Germany. Let’s do the German fight on the field. Boxing fans want this fight, let’s do it.

Usyk replied: “Okay, no problem. Brother. I’m ready.”

Rico Verhoeven compared again?

Hopes for a quick replay gained momentum almost as soon as the final bell rang.

Ring Magazine CEO Rick Reeno joined Kabayel in the ring as well as Turki Alalshikh who openly stated that Verhoeven’s performance changed the conversation.

The Dutchman may have failed, but he pushed Usyk over the edge in a way few expected – and that alone has fueled calls for a second meeting.

Alalshikh explained his vision of how the next chapter should unfold, balancing the obligations and enthusiasm for the return of the blockbuster.

“This is Usyk’s decision. This is not the right time,” he said. “He [Kabayel] he’s on the line, but Rico deserves a rematch behind Kabayel. We want to see Kabayel, then the rematch with Rico in Holland. “

A rematch in the Netherlands – Verhoeven’s home ground – would be a huge commercial event, and given how close it is to producing an earthquake, there is a desire to see it again.

Frank Sanchez

Fresh off a second round knockout of Richard Torrez Jr in the last round of the IBF, Frank Sanchez wasted no time in making his name.

This Cuban player has long been considered as one of the most blocked players in this category, and since he has the intensity behind him, he has made it clear that he wants to be shot at the top.

“I was working all the time in the gym with my team, I kept waiting for this opportunity,” he said.

“It came, I took it, and now I’m ready for whoever’s next. Usyk, we’re ready for you whenever you want.”

Time to get Usyk?

Was this performance the first indication that time might be running out for Usyk?

The 39-year-old, who weighed in at a career-high 16st 9lb, looked unusually low during the middle rounds – the stage of the fight where he usually dominates.

His reactions were slow, his feet were heavy, and for a long time he was pushed back by a man who had a professional boxing match to his name.

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, who lost a title fight to Usyk in 2018, believes that Verhoeven exposed a weakness in the Ukrainian that had never been seen before.

“It’s the only time in his entire career that I’ve seen Usyk work so hard. At the end of each round, he was losing and going out.

“Rico Verhoeven won this one. His hand may not have been raised, but for what we expected, he had almost the most amazing boxing we’ve ever seen.

“We won’t know if Verhoeven would have been able to get out of round 12, so we have to do it again. This guy deserves very little after the game he just put in.”

Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki at Zuffa Boxing in Bournemouth on June 6, live on Sky Sports.