Boxing
Joshua favours Rico rematch over Kabayel for old rival Usyk
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Anthony Joshua admits he would like to see Oleksandr Usyk take a rematch with Rico Verhoeven before facing Agit Kabayel.
The Briton was ringside as the Ukrainian, his former rival-turned-training partner, took victory over the Dutch kickboxer in Giza.
Verhoeven, in just his second pro bout, appeared to have the upper hand for long portions and has pressed for a rematch.
But while WBC interim champion Kabayel is Usyk's current mandatory challenger, Joshua admits he would prefer another bout.
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"As a fight fan, respectfully, not as a fight historian, I want to see Rico versus Usyk again," Joshua told the Mr. Verzace podcast.
"Usyk-Kabayel is still massive. I like the way [he] is calling him out, but from a fan point of view, the rematch would be amazing.
"Which one generates more money? I think the Rico rematch because of the attention on that fight. Rico is a big player in kickboxing.
"If I am putting on my historian and legacy hat, Kabayel is the fight. But you know how big rematches are [with] storyline and history."
Is Usyk-Rico the bout to make for many?
DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel
Unless your names are Agit Kabayel and Frank Warren, perhaps the clamour to see Oleksandr Usyk roll it back again is there.
Rico Verhoeven took the Ukrainian into troubled waters for what felt like the first time in a long while, given their gulf in class.
The Dutchman firmly believes with a few tweaks, he can get the job done - but surely Kabayel has waited long enough for now.
If Usyk is to take a second dance with the kickboxing sensation, then it seems unlikely the WBC would allow him to keep his title.
That could well tee up a headache for Warren though. Should Kabayel get the belt, Moses Itauma may want a crack too. There's plenty at stake here.
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