Oleksandr Usyk has revealed his plans for ending his combat sports career. The Ukrainian heavyweight, who turned 39 in January, is scheduled to face Rico Verhoeven next weekend in Egypt for the WBC belt. While specific details of his retirement timeline were not disclosed in the post, Usyk indicated he is considering his future. The post suggests he may compete in approximately three more fights before retiring. This statement comes as Usyk prepares for a crossover kickboxing match against one of the sport's top heavyweights.
Oleksandr Usyk has opened up about how much longer he plans to compete, sharing thoughts on his eventual retirement as he prepares for a high-profile crossover bout against kickboxing heavyweight Rico Verhoeven in Egypt next weekend.
The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who turned 39 in January, indicated he is not yet done with combat sports but acknowledged that the end of his career is drawing closer. While he stopped short of committing to a firm timeline, Usyk suggested he could have roughly three fights remaining before he steps away from competition. The comments add an unusual backdrop to what is already one of the more unconventional matchups of the year, with the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion crossing over to face Verhoeven under kickboxing rules for the WBC kickboxing belt.
Why it matters
- Usyk's retirement outlook raises questions about how his remaining fights will be distributed between boxing and crossover events
- A loss or strong performance against Verhoeven could influence how quickly he moves toward winding down his career
- The bout itself is a rare meeting of elite competitors from two different striking disciplines at the top of the heavyweight division
The crossover nature of the fight makes Usyk's retirement comments particularly noteworthy. He is entering Verhoeven's domain by competing under kickboxing rules, a significant stylistic concession that underlines the event's exhibition-adjacent appeal. Whether this match counts as one of his final competitive appearances or is treated as a separate chapter from his boxing career was not made clear in his statement.
With approximately three fights potentially remaining on his timeline, the question of where and how Usyk chooses to close out his career will draw considerable attention from both boxing and combat sports fans in the months ahead.
