Oleksandr Usyk targets Tyson Fury trilogy after Rico Verhoeven fight as champion reveals final three bouts before retirement

Oleksandr Usyk has made his next plans very clear. The Ukrainian boxing champion says he still has three fights left before retirement, and one of them must be against Tyson Fury. Usyk, who already defeated Fury twice in 2024, recently spoke about the final chapter of his career. The two-time undisputed champion said he wants to face Rico Verhoeven first, then the winner of Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois, and finally Tyson Fury in a trilogy bout. According to The Ring Magazine, the Ukrainian star shared this list while discussing how he wants to end his Hall-of-Fame career.

The 39-year-old boxer also surprised many fans by saying he plans to keep fighting until he turns 41 years old. Even after becoming undisputed champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight, Usyk believes he still has more to prove inside the ring. For now, his focus is on the first fight on that list. Usyk is scheduled to face kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in a major heavyweight bout set to take place in Egypt on May 23. But even as he prepares for that challenge, Usyk has already sent a clear message to Fury.

Oleksandr Usyk names Rico Verhoeven first and Tyson Fury trilogy last on his retirement hitlist

Oleksandr Usyk explained that he has a simple three-fight plan before he steps away from boxing. Speaking to The Ring Magazine, the undefeated Ukrainian openly named the opponents he wants. He said, “Rico is first. Second is whoever wins between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois and third fight is my friend, greedy belly, Tyson Fury.”

The first name on that list is Rico Verhoeven, the famous Dutch kickboxing champion. Their fight is expected to take place on May 23 in Egypt, where the two heavyweights will meet in a unique event for the WBC heavyweight title. Verhoeven is known for his power and success in kickboxing, which makes this matchup very interesting for boxing fans.

After that, Usyk wants to face the winner of the fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois. Both British heavyweights are rising names in the division. A win over either fighter would add another strong opponent to Usyk’s already impressive career record. But the most talked-about fight on Usyk’s list is clearly the third one against Tyson Fury.

Usyk and Fury already fought twice in 2024 in Saudi Arabia, and both times the Ukrainian champion won. Those victories helped Usyk become the undisputed heavyweight champion. However, Fury has always believed that the decisions were unfair. The British boxer still insists he deserved to win those fights. Because of that, a trilogy fight between the two heavyweights could settle the debate once and for all.

Before any trilogy can happen, Fury must first return to the ring. The 37-year-old British star is scheduled to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Makhmudov is a powerful Russian heavyweight known for his aggressive style.

That fight card will also include another big matchup. Conor Benn will face Regis Prograis on the same night. According to reports, the event will be broadcast live on Netflix, making it one of the biggest boxing nights of the year. If Fury wins that fight, it could open the door for the long-talked-about third bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

For Usyk, the goal is simple. He wants to finish his career with a few memorable fights before retiring at 41. And if his plan works, boxing fans could see one last dramatic chapter between two of the greatest heavyweights of this era.