Oleksandr Usyk considering major career update after controversial Rico Verhoeven fight

Oleksandr Usyk's advisor has revealed that the boxing champion is strongly considering retirement following his win over Rico Verhoeven.

In May, unbeaten boxing champion Usyk maintained his perfect record and his titles by beating kickboxing champion Verhoeven in a historic event at the Pyramids of Giza.

The Ukrainian faced adversity throughout the fight, with many fans arguing that Verhoeven may have been ahead on the scorecards by the time Usyk secured a knockout in the 11th round.

Verhoeven later lodged an appeal of the fight result once it was revealed that the referee had waved the fight off after the bell signalling the end of the round had sounded.

But the Dutchman was unsuccessful with his appeal, raising questions about what could be next for Usyk following an event of such magnitude.

The logical choice would be former foe Daniel Dubois, who claimed the WBO heavyweight belt after Uysk vacated it earlier in May by defeating Fabio Wardley via an 11th-round stoppage at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester

However, the Ukrainian is instead currently in negotiations with Germany's Agit Kabayel, who the WBC named mandatory challenger.

But, according to Sergey Lapin, Usyk's advisor, it's very possible that the unified champion could instead simply decide to leave it all behind, hang up his gloves and end his career as one of the greatest boxers of all time.

“Agit Kabayel is an excellent fighter, a worthy champion and a man we respect. There is nothing personal here, but fights of this magnitude are not made through social media or public pressure," he told Snabbare.

“Oleksandr has spent his entire career proving who he is. At this stage, the question is no longer what Usyk owes anyone. The question is what kind of event can be built?"

Lapin continued: "If the numbers and the opportunity make sense for everyone, then everything is possible. We are open to serious business, not noise.

"If the right opportunity presents itself, the fight can happen. If not, there are other paths and other major opportunities available.

“But one thing people should remember: when a fighter has achieved everything Oleksandr has achieved, every appearance becomes special. It is possible that fans have already seen him in the ring for the last time. Or maybe there is still one more chapter left. We will know very soon.”

Providing further clarity on Usyk's choice, Lapin revealed that all options will be evaluated with a decision being made by the end of the week.

What happens if Oleksandr Usyk retires?

Although some may assume that Lapin's comments are simply a negotiations tactic while the Kabayel fight, or another fight, is finalised, at 39 years old it is very possible that Usyk could decide to walk away from the sport.

As a two-time undisputed champion at heavyweight and former undisputed cruiserweight champion with a perfect 25- record, there really isn't anything left for Usyk to prove, with his place in the history books already secured.

But if he is to retire, many would question what will happen to the three belts that the Ukrainian currently holds (WBC, IBF and WBA).

All three sanctioning bodies would have to make moves to crown new champions, with a couple of options available to them.

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Currently, Kabayel is the WBC's interim heavyweight champion and therefore would likely be elevated to the full champion if Usyk were to retire.

The same could be said for the WBA who may chose to elevate Murat Gassiev, who is their "regular" champion.

As for the IBF, it is likely that they would order two of their top ranked heavyweights to fight each other for the vacant title, an option also availavle to the WBC and WBA.

The likes of Kabayel, Dubois, Tyson Fury, Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgović could all find themselves in the title conversations if Uysk were to retire.