Oleksandr Usic’s options assessed after dramatic 11th round win over Rico Verhoeven in Giza | Boxing news

Mandatory against the coming Kabael? A rematch with Rico Verhoeven? What’s next for Aleksandar Usyk after his dramatic victory in front of the pyramids?

Usyk survived an almighty scare by stopping Verhoeven in the final seconds of round 11 just as the Dutch kickboxer threatened to pull off one of boxing’s biggest upsets.

On a night when the champion looked uncharacteristically weak, his performance sent shockwaves across the division, widening the heavyweight landscape — and Usyk’s options — suddenly.

Agit Kabael

The WBC mandatory challenger has been patiently waiting for his shot at Usy and is now in pole position.

After defeating Verhoeven, Usyk must defend his WBC title against Kabael, or the belt will be stripped.

Kabael was at ringside to witness Usyk’s performance and personally stepped into the ring to deliver his challenge to Usyk.

“First, congratulations Oleksandr,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for this situation for so long, I’m ready.

“Germany is waiting for the fight. I know many Ukrainian people live in Germany. Let’s fight in a stadium in Germany. Boxing fans want this fight, let’s do it.

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

Rico Verhoeven match again?

The possibility of an immediate rematch gained momentum as soon as the final bell rang.

Ring Magazine CEO Rick Reno joined Kabael in the ring, as did Turki Alalsikh, who made it clear that Verhoeven’s performance took away the conversation.

The Dutchman may have fallen short, but he pushed Usyk in a way few expected – and that alone has strengthened the call for a second meeting.

Alalsikh outlines his vision for how the next chapter will unfold, balancing the imperative with the hunger for a blockbuster return bout.

“It’s Usyk’s choice. It’s not the right time,” he said. “He (Kabael) is on the line, but Rico deserves a rematch after Kabael. We want to see Kabael and then a rematch with Rico in Holland.”

A rematch in the Netherlands – Verhoeven’s home turf – would be a hugely commercial event, and given how close he came to creating a seismic disaster, they’re keen to see it again.

Frank Sanchez

Fresh off a devastating second-round knockout of Richard Torrez Jr. in an IBF final eliminator, Frank Sanchez wasted no time throwing his name into the mix.

The Cuban has long been considered one of the most elusive fighters in the division, and with momentum behind him, he’s made it clear he wants his shot at the very top.

“I’ve been working full time in the gym with my team, getting myself ready 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 catch up with Usyk?

Is this performance the first indication that time may be continuous on Usyk?

The 39-year-old, who weighed in at a career-heaviest 16st 9lb, looked unusually flat during the middle rounds – the very phase of a fight where he usually takes control.

His reactions were slow, his legs a touch heavy, and for long stretches he was pushed back by a man with only one professional boxing match to his name.

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, who lost his title to Usyk in 2018, believes Verhoeven exposed the Ukrainian’s weaknesses like never before.

“This is the only time in his entire career that I’ve seen Usyk consistently outworked. Every round, he was losing and getting out.

“Rico Verhoeven came out of it a winner. His hand may not have been extended, but what we hoped for, he was almost the biggest surprise boxing has ever seen.

“We’ll never know if Verhoeven could have made it to the round of 12, so we should probably do it again. The lad deserved the least after the performance he put in.”

Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rosicky at the Zuffa Boxing Show in Bournemouth on June 6 live on Sky Sports.