Usyk Lined Up For Another Major Event

Turki Alalshikh has dropped a significant hint about Oleksandr Usyk's future, suggesting a major event in Istanbul is being planned for next year.

The comment that has immediately focused attention on WBC mandatory Agit Kabayel, the unbeaten German fighter of Turkish descent. Usyk will face Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday in a defense of his unified heavyweight titles, with the Saudis stopping short of naming an opponent but making clear the planning is already underway.

"We are planning for something to give to Usyk in the future. We are thinking, and I know he doesn't want to talk about the future, but we are planning, and I want to give a small secret. We are planning to do something amazing in Istanbul. The people in Istanbul and the government in Istanbul to do something amazing next year."

The Istanbul setting would be tailor-made for a Kabayel fight. Kabayel has not been quiet about his intentions. The unbeaten 27-0 contender holds WBC interim status and has publicly stated he wants the winner of Saturday's fight, making his position in the queue as clear as it can be made without a signed contract.

Kabayel Reacts

“When I saw it, I said, ‘Crazy. Normally, I will call Mauricio [Sulaiman, the WBC president] and say, ‘What is this?’ But, I respect it and I hope I’m the next in the line. I think this is a good fight for the fighting fans. I think this is not for sports competition, I think this is for the fans.

“This is like a show fight. But I think, yeah, why not? If people want to see the fight. But I think, normally, he must fight with me, Usyk. I don’t know, this is boxing, this is heavyweight boxing,” he said. One punch can change a fight, but we will see. This is a good fight for fans, but I think this is an easy night for Usyk,” Kabayel stated