Zhan Belenkyi, a Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestler and Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, commented on the recent bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven. According to the athlete, such encounters, which go beyond traditional sports disciplines, have every right to exist and could become a new trend in the world of show sports.
Show element and audience interest
Belenkyi emphasizes that such events last exactly as long as there is demand for them. "I see this as a show element. As long as people are ready to follow such events and are interested in them, these manifestations will continue to exist," noted the Olympic champion.
Zhan's attitude towards Usyk's appearance against boxer Rico Verhoeven was positive, especially after watching the actual fight. According to him, the bout turned out to be truly competitive and exciting, so he had no questions for the participants.
A new reality in the heavyweight division
The bout ended with Oleksandr Usyk's victory in the eleventh round. However, this success was only part of a larger event. By relinquishing all his championship belts, the Ukrainian created a new reality in the heavyweight boxing world. This decision raised many questions: who will now hold the titles according to the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF versions, and who will Usyk fight in his final bout?
Candidates for the final fight
Among those who would like to become the opponent of the undefeated Ukrainian, several names stand out. The favorite for the final fight remains American Deontay Wilder, who has already declared his desire to meet Usyk. In addition, Mexican Andy Ruiz recently announced his readiness to step into the ring against the champion.
The boxing community is also discussing the possibility of a third fight against Tyson Fury. However, this option seems unlikely, as the Briton plans to meet Anthony Joshua.
Earlier, it was reported that Oleksandr Usyk attended the final of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, where he met with the legendary Spanish footballer.
