Three more fights, the first of which would take place this weekend in Egypt, and then retirement.

But as Saturday night’s clash with Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza approaches, the 39-year-old all-time-great has admitted for the first time that plan might change.

“In my head, the plan is more or less the same,” he tells The Ring. “But everything is in God’s hands.”

It was during an episode of “Inside The Ring” that Usyk had first outlined his exit route, which would go from Verhoeven to the winner of Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley and then finish with a trilogy clash against Tyson Fury.

But Usyk, never one too look too far ahead, knows that “picture” could change at any moment.

“Listen, boxing is a living sport,” he adds. “Today Dubois has the belt, Wardley has the rematch clause, and tomorrow the picture can already be different.

“So I don’t like to look too far ahead. I make plans, I think, I dream — but everything can go differently from how I see it. First, Rico. Then we will see who is really standing in front of me.”

Usyk was a relatively late starter to boxing, given he only took up the sport when he decided against pursuing a career in football when he was 15. Even so, he has now been involved with the sport for nearly 25 years.

He will turn 40 years old in January and it is almost certain that, regardless of who he fights, 2027 will be the year he hangs up his gloves for good. Tyson Fury, who lost twice to Usyk during a seven-month spell in 2024, has admitted that he fears his life after boxing but the three-time undisputed champion does not feel the same.

“For me it is not scary,” he says. “This is life, this is sport. I am at peace with myself.

“I understand that in sport there are ups and downs, there is a long road, and one day every athlete comes to this moment, but I will not leave boxing completely. Boxing will always be part of my life, in one way or another.

“We have Ready to Fight, where we help to organize and simplify many processes in boxing. We have Usyk17 Promotions. I want to help fighters, I want to help boxing, I want to give something back to the sport that gave me so much.

“At the same time, my life is bigger than boxing. I have my family, my beloved wife, my friends. I have a full life, a rich life. I am grateful to God for everything I have and for the life I have.

“So no, I am not afraid. When this time comes, I will accept it with peace. But today, I still work.”

On April 11 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury drew a line under the fifth retirement of his career by outpointing Arslanbek Makhmudov over 12 rounds. During the latest season of the hit Netflix series "At Home With The Furys," the 38-year-old wrestles with the idea of a comeback and ultimately succumbs to the lure of another fight.

“Yeah, I can understand that,” Usyk says of Fury’s inability to stay retired.

"When you’ve lived and breathed boxing for so many years, it’s really hard to just switch it off inside. Tyson is that kind of guy — he’s got a lot of character. This isn’t the first time he’s retired, and it isn’t the first time he’s come back. I get that. But if someone comes back, they have to be truly ready.

“I’m ready, Greedy Belly. I missed you, my friend. Are you good over there?”