Usyk hints at fight plan change amid safety threats in Egypt
Oleksandr Usyk (photo: Getty Images)
World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is gearing up for a major show in Egypt, but he admits that plans could change due to the unstable situation in the region. According to his comments to Suspilne Sport, the Ukrainian fighter's team is already preparing backup scenarios in case the Giza event is canceled.
Safety first
Usyk's bout against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven is officially sanctioned by the WBC and scheduled for May 23, 2026. However, rising tensions in the Middle East threaten the event in Giza. Usyk said he fully trusts his management to handle any organizational crises.
"The team is 100% looking at plan B, but I don't even think about it. I know I have to train, and if anything happens, the team tells me, and I don't get nervous. I just pray and that’s it," the boxer emphasized.
Training without compromise
Even though Usyk's upcoming opponent isn't a professional boxer, he assures there is no underestimation, and his training intensity continues to rise. Usyk stressed that his discipline remains the same, and the toughest fight is always against himself.
"My preparation doesn’t change; I train seriously for every opponent. I train against myself; I’m my hardest opponent because the chances are equal. We don't do shortcuts, like running 10 km and now 5 km – no, if we ran 10 km, now it's 11 km. Training is full steam ahead," the champion said.
Usyk also added that even on active recovery days, he takes long walks because "who are we to skip leg day."
The fight against Verhoeven will be Usyk's first time in the ring since July 2025. It will serve as a voluntary defense of his WBC title.
Earlier reports revealed Usyk's plans leading up to the end of his career.
