Eddie Hearn names the fight that interests him for Oleksandr Usyk

On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven is set to headline the next Ring fight card for Usyk’s lineal/WBC heavyweight title. The entire card will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Ahead of the Glory in Giza main event, Eddie Hearn, who is heavily involved in promoting the event, spoke to The Stomping Ground, revealing the one future fight that interests him most for Usyk.

The Oleksandr Usyk fight Eddie Hearn wants to see most

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will fight for the first time in 2026 against Verhoeven. He hasn’t fought since defeating Daniel Dubois in their rematch, stopping the Brit in round five to become the undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time. Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO), while a decorated kickboxer, has only fought once in professional boxing, a second-round stoppage win against Janos Finfera.

Discussing the future for Oleksandr Usyk, Hearn named the fight for Usyk that interests Hearn the most:

“The fight that interests me is the Kabayel fight. I think that’s a big fight in Germany. I think it’s a stadium fight. I think it’s a good fight. I think Agit’s earned his opportunity. Usyk has beaten AJ twice, Fury twice, Dubois twice. I don’t think the third necessarily, versus what other challenges are out there, are really that appealing, even though everyone of them would love another shot. 

“I think it’s an interesting style matchup. Kabayel does everything well. He’s got great output. He’s got good defence. He’s got good feet. Can punch a little bit. He’s got a good chin. I don’t think he necessarily matches Usyk on all levels, but I think he can be competitive on all levels. How long has Usyk got left? You just can’t be at the top of the game forever. But right now, I feel like he is. And I don’t think it’ll be a problem for him on Saturday.”

Usyk vs Verhoeven full fight card

• Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for lineal/WBC heavyweight title
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO super middleweight title
• Shakhram Giyasov vs Jack Catterall, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
• Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr., 12 rounds, IBF heavyweight eliminator
• Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s super flyweight title
• Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
• Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
• Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax, 4 rounds, lightweights
• Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya vs Michael Kalyala, 4 rounds, middleweights
• Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma, 4 rounds, welterweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Usyk vs Verhoeven, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.