Usyk Next Fight: Lapin Opens Fabio Wardley Door With 3-Time Talk

Usyk next fight is not locked to one name, and Sergey Lapin has put Fabio Wardley into the conversation if he proves himself at the highest level. That keeps Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight route open while he prepares to box Rico Verhoeven next month in Giza.

Wardley and Dubois in Manchester

Wardley will put his WBO title on the line against Daniel Dubois this weekend in Manchester. Lapin said Wardley can definitely become part of the discussion if he handles that level, which gives the fight a direct link to Usyk’s next move.

Wardley first put himself in line for Usyk last year, when he defeated Joseph Parker to secure the WBO Interim title. Usyk later vacated the full WBO championship and kept the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, so the title map shifted even as Wardley stayed in the frame.

Usyk, Kabayel and the title picture

Usyk is unbeaten, has already been undisputed at cruiserweight, and has gone undisputed twice at heavyweight. Lapin said becoming a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion would be something historic, and said Usyk is always motivated by the biggest challenges.

The other route mentioned is Agit Kabayel, the mandatory challenger for the WBC heavyweight championship. Lapin drew the contrast clearly: if it is Fabio Wardley, it could potentially be for undisputed. If it is Agit Kabayel, it would more likely be a title defence.

That leaves Usyk with two very different choices once the Verhoeven fight is out of the way. Wardley’s weekend title defense in Manchester could push him toward the undisputed conversation; Kabayel offers the mandatory line that keeps the WBC picture moving without the same stakes attached to all four belts.

Verhoeven first for Usyk

Lapin also said the team does not build its plans around one name or one outcome. He added that there are several strong contenders in the division and that the focus stays on the biggest and most meaningful fights available, but the immediate assignment remains Verhoeven in Giza next month.

“But we don't like to look too far ahead. Right now, we have a fight with Rico Verhoeven, and all our focus is on that.”