Usyk outlines business ambitions and post-fighting plans ahead of Egypt bout

Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed he intends to continue his professional boxing career for two or three additional bouts before potentially retiring to pursue acting. Speaking from his training camp in Spain to BBC Sport, the 39-year-old outlined his preparations for Saturday’s title defence against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. While the bout pits a boxing legend against a kickboxing champion, Usyk insisted the contest remains a serious athletic challenge rather than a scripted spectacle.

Usyk, who holds the WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC heavyweight belts, remains undefeated in 24 professional fights. He described his approach to the upcoming event as methodical, noting that his training regimen mirrors the intensity used for high-stakes bouts against opponents such as Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. Despite Verhoeven’s limited experience in boxing, having competed in only one professional match in 2014, Usyk emphasised that he does not view the fight as a show but as a legitimate contest requiring rigorous sparring and conditioning.

Beyond the immediate contest, Usyk revealed a "secret plan" for the event that extends into commercial ventures. He stated his intention to build a large-scale production and establish a business venture, indicating that this fight is part of a broader strategic vision for his post-athletic career. The Ukrainian boxer, who last defeated Daniel Dubois in July 2025, suggested that a transition into acting is "on the cards" once he eventually hangs up his gloves.

The champion also reflected on a pivotal moment in his amateur career that fundamentally altered his professional trajectory. Usyk recalled a defeat to Russia’s Egor Mekhontsev at the 2009 AIBA World Championships, an event that occurred 16 years and eight months prior to this bout. He described the loss as a catalyst for significant changes in his training camp, discipline, and personal life, noting that the experience helped shape the man who later married Yekatarina and became a father.

Usyk’s professional record includes Olympic gold in 2012 and undisputed status at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. His victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois, whom he has defeated twice each, have cemented his reputation as a generational talent. As he prepares for the Saturday night event, Usyk maintains that while the opponent may differ from traditional heavyweight contenders, the standard of preparation and the seriousness of the challenge remain unchanged.