Oleksandr Usyk's IBF and WBA belts could be at risk if he fights Rico Verhoeven in a WBC heavyweight title defence

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC title against Rico Verhoeven, but the unified champion's IBF and WBA belts could be at risk.

The Ukrainian star has announced that he will face kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza, with the WBC confirming that Usyk is making a voluntary defence of his heavyweight belt on May 23.

Usyk also holds the IBF and WBA belts, but it remains unclear whether the governing bodies will also agree for their belts to be on the line against Verhoeven.

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The unbeaten 39-year-old relinquished the WBO belt in October and mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley was elevated as the new WBO champion, although Usyk could be ordered to fulfil more title commitments.

Derek Chisora defeated Otto Wallin in an IBF eliminator last February and promoter Kalle Sauerland is lobbying for Chisora to receive a fight for a vacant IBF belt.

Sauerland, who is promoting Chisora vs Deontay Wilder on April 4, told Sky Sports: "Oleksandr Usyk is already a boxing legend and a two-weight cruiserweight and heavyweight unified world champion. I was very proud to put the fourth belt around his waist in the ring in 2018 and he's obviously gone and done the same at heavyweight.

"But the sport is the sport and there's lots of other gladiators out there, and two of them in Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora have had amazing careers culminating in a massive fight on April 4 at the O2.

"And Oleksandr Usyk has not had one single mandatory defence of the IBF in his reign as heavyweight champion, as IBF heavyweight champion.

"Given Chisora's position at the very top of the heavyweight rankings right now, and Wilder's position as well, and given the high-profile nature of the fight it would be an amazing addition for them to be able to fight for the belt.

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"That's the politics of boxing. We will be speaking to the IBF to see whether there is something that can resolve the situation and we will be lobbying for such a move.

"At the same time I totally understand that boxing is also a business and the fight with Verhoeven is a fight that will attract a lot of eyeballs. Look at AJ and Tyson [Fury] taking similar fights, you could almost say he deserves a payday along those lines as well. But it doesn't affect that boxing goes on."

Usyk relinquished his IBF title in June 2024 and then won it back in his rematch with Daniel Dubois last July at Wembley Stadium.

Murat Gassiev, who holds the WBA 'regular' title is also seeking clarity about when Usyk is due to defend his WBA 'super' belt.

Al Siesta, the IBA Pro promoter who co-promotes Gassiev, told Sky Sports: "It does present an interesting situation with the WBA title. Murat is a proud WBA champion and he only wants to fight the best. Whether it is Usyk, [Moses] Itauma, Joshua - it doesn't matter to Murat. He is ready for anyone.

"We are currently awaiting communication from our friends at the WBA regarding the status of Usyk as 'Super' champion. Usyk has not made a mandatory defence of his WBA title since August 2023 [against Daniel Dubois], which we understand as he has been involved in big unification fights.

"It seems that he is now looking to maximise his earnings and have these 'event' fights against kickboxers and such. All we ask is for this not to hold up the activity in the heavyweight division.

"It is a similar situation to the WBO, who stripped Usyk when he decided not to face [mandatory challenger] Fabio Wardley. This allowed the division to progress and now we see a great fight with Wardley and Dubois in May - an amazing fight that we will be keeping a very close eye on. To face the winner in the UK would be a dream for Murat and I believe, whoever the winner is, would make for a blockbuster bout for Murat in the future.

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"If the WBA title is not at stake for Usyk against Verhoeven, then it only makes logical sense to strip him of his title or make him a 'Champion in Recess'. This would allow for Murat to be elevated to 'Super' champion. I can promise Murat will defend his WBA title with pride against the most deserving opponent - he is not interested in gimmick fights.

"Then, if Usyk wishes to reclaim his title, Murat would be more than happy to oblige him.

"Remember, when they first met in July 2018, Usyk was the same age that Murat is now. I believe experience played a big factor in that fight. Now, Murat is not a puppy: he is a fully-grown heavyweight with destructive knockout power, as we saw against [Kubrat] Pulev in December."

Usyk defeated Gassiev on points to become undisputed world cruiserweight champion in July 2018.

The Russian has since joined Usyk in the heavyweight division and claimed the WBA 'regular' title with an explosive sixth-round stoppage in December.

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Agit Kabayel, the WBC interim champion, is expected to be the next available challenger for Usyk.

But Britain's former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie, who is the WBC No 1 contender, fully expects Usyk to eventually vacate the WBC title, opening the door for him to fight Kabayel for the vacant belt.

"I think he's at the stage where he's not interested in hard fights against guys who aren't going to give him the sort of money he's made. I think Agit falls into that category," Okolie told Sky Sports' Toe 2 Toe podcast.

Sky Sports News has contacted Usyk's promotional team and the IBF and WBA.