Some have questioned Oleksandr Usyk and a potential desire to face Daniel Dubois for a third time, but that is a fight that will have little appetite from the fans, while Wardley-Dubois II is also much more likely.
Instead Usyk has already stated that he feels he has done enough in Boxing to make his own decisions and one of those has led to this headline fight against the 'King of Kickboxing', but a fighter in Rico Verhoeven having just his second professional Boxing contest.
That is the fight that will headline the latest showing from Riyadh Season under Turki Alalshikh, although the rumours around a growing disinterest in sport from those in Saudi Arabia cannot be ignored.
Other sports have already been impacted with LIV Golf looking like it is struggling, while the Snooker Saudi Masters has come and gone already.
Add to that the reports that the Newcastle United investment is looking to be cut by 25% and you do have to wonder how many more of these standout Riyadh Season events we are going to be getting in the coming months and years?
Perhaps the idea is to eventually navigate all fighters to Zuffa Boxing once they are signed on some poor terms, but that is something we will have to keep an eye on.
Oleksandr Uysk vs Rico Verhoeven
No one is going to doubt the credentials of Rico Verhoeven as a combatant, but you do have to make this a huge mismatch as far as a Boxing contest goes.
The 'King of Kickboxing' has had one professional Boxing bout back in 2014 against an opponent who had lost all five previous professional contests.
Suffice to say that this is a huge step upwards.
Some will point to Frances Ngannou and his efforts against Tyson Fury, but Anthony Joshua made short work of the MMA powerhouse.
Oleksandr Usyk is unlikely to put anyone down with the first big punch thrown, and especially not against someone of the size and stature of Rico Verhoeven, but the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion can do what he does best and that is sure to wear out his opponent.
Taking punches from awkward angles may take a bit of getting used to, but Usyk is a supreme Boxer with fantastic footwork and that is likely going to be mean it will take something very, very special for Rico Verhoeven to find the punches to hurt the Champion who has been in with some monster hitters.
You have to expect the Promoters to be talking up Rico Verhoeven's chances, but even some of those have admitted there is a very small chance the Dutchman can win this fight.
The early part of the contest could be fun with Verhoeven likely going to want to use his size and strength to push Oleksandr Usyk backwards, but the Champion is going to be wearing him down mentally and physically.
That should pay dividends in the middle of this Twelve Round fight and Oleksandr Usyk has enough pop to force the Stoppage at that kind of stage.
As mentioned, this is not the same kind of undercard that fans have become accustomed to seeing at these Riyadh Season events, but there is some intrigue and an opportunity for fighters to take the next step in their careers.
Both Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov are hoping to get into the mix with the World Champions in a wide open Welterweight Division and the winner should be in line for a shot at a World Title by winning this one.
Picking a winner is not easy, although Catterall has been in with the higher level of opponent, which is perhaps why he has been set as the favourite.
The main event involves the Undisputed Heavyweight king, but there is an opportunity for Richard Torrez Jr to move up alongside Moses Itauma as one of the young guns looking to take over when Oleksandr Usyk chooses to call it a day.
As with any fighter developing, Torrez Jr is taking another step in his career by taking on once beaten Frank Sanchez, although there are serious doubts about the health of the latter.
The Cuban has fought once in the last two years since losing to Agit Kabayel in a contest where his knee gave way- surgery and rehabilitation have been completed, but there is a real uncertainty about whether Sanchez has the movement needed with the knee.
The contest is scheduled over Twelve Rounds and Richard Torrez Jr is capable of closing the show within the time allotted to make a statement to his rivals.
Hamzah Sheeraz has long been a favourite of the Riyadh organisers and he should be able to pick up the vacant WBO World Super Middleweight Title.
There would have been a real hope that Sheeraz could have been out much more quickly after crushing Edgar Berlanga last July, but he has had to wait for this opportunity and should have far too much for unbeaten Alem Begic.
The 39 year old has not fought in thirteen months and this does not feel like a fighter who deserves a shot at the WBO World Title, even if it is a vacant Belt.
The Super Middleweight Division looks pretty weak right now though and that gives Begic this chance, but Hamzah Sheeraz should have far, far too much for him.
MY PICKS: Oleksandr Usyk to Win Between 5-8 @ 2.87 Paddy Power (1 Unit)
Richard Torrez Jr to Win by KO/TKO/Disqualification @ 2.05 Bet Fred (2 Units)
Hamzah Sheeraz to Win Between 1-6 @ 1.61 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
Boxing 2026: 14-29, - 13.18 Units (64 Units Staked, - 20.59% Yield)
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