Last man standing? Oleksandr Usyk pivot leaves heavyweight question

So, the cat is out of the bag for 'The Cat'. Oleksandr Usyk is headed to Egypt, for the next chapter of what has been a glittering heavyweight career.

The Ukrainian, undefeated in the glamour division, has long reigned as a two-weight champion, effectively one of the sport's modern-day monoliths.

Now, he is set to head to the Giza necropolis this May, for a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle before the last surviving seventh wonder of the ancient world.

But the opponent is not quite what many fight fans would have hoped for. Usyk will not entertain a Tyson Fury, a Deontay Wilder, an Anthony Joshua.

Instead, he will tackle Rico Verhoeven, the celebrated Dutch kickboxer considered by plenty of critics to be the pre-eminent athlete of his generation.

The latter has already teased this as an "undisputed versus undisputed" affair, a clash between two respective superstars in a crossover blockbuster.

Yet even beyond the questions that linger around the fight - such as whether it will be a fully sanctioned title bout or not - one cuts through in particular.

Namely, it is this - if Usyk has opted to turn his attention beyond boxing's traditional borders, what does it say about the state of the sport's top class?

A surrendered dance and a failed pursuit

Opinions will vary on the health of the heavyweight division, but it is hard to refute that its biggest stars broadly remain an aging band of ex-champions.

Past Usyk, Fury - who mounts his latest return from retirement in April - and Joshua are perhaps the only other bona-fide stadium-filling superstars in play.

Throw in former title holders like Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker, and you still have men who can pull a crowd - but often need the right partner to do so.

Perhaps it is little wonder, from a commercial standpoint, why Usyk opted to vacate the WBO belt rather than face Fabio Wardley after he beat the latter.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

The Ipswich fighter is a tremendous feel-good story in the sport, a former white-collar slugger who has risen to the top of the professional ranks with guile.

His wattage will only grow for as long as he holds the belt, of course, but for now, there is a certain logic to Usyk's decision to bypass him entirely right now.

The fact the Ukrainian subsequently pursued Wilder - the lone GOAT candidate of their shared generation he never faced - speaks volumes about his plans.

That failed pursuit showcased a desire from Usyk to further gloss his legacy on multiple levels - and a generation of rising stars seemingly don't cut it for him.

A new guard ready to rise

Usyk's decision to move for Verhoeven may raise eyebrows then - but at the same time, it offers a snapshot of what the boxing world looks like without him.

He, Fury, Wilder and Joshua are all in their late thirties, with Parker close behind. Beyond them, familiar face Zhilei Zhang is aging out of the game as well.

Several of those stars may still be in peak shape, but most are arguably beyond their prime years as fighters, even as they still prove box-office smashes.

But there are more than just green shoots. There are stars ready to seize the limelight - and some who have already had a taste of glory at the summit too.

Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

Daniel Dubois may have been the effective B-side in his last two world title fights, but the star has been under the bright lights of Wembley Stadium twice now.

Wardley has headlined Portman Road in his hometown, while Agit Kabayel has brought heavyweight boxing back to Germany once already this year.

Moses Itauma continues to go from strength to strength. Filip Hrgovic is backing up his promise with performances that continue to rock the boat at large.

Oleksandr Usyk may be chasing new avenues with a heavyweight scene he sees in flux behind him. But rest assured, it seems to be safe beyond him as well.

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