As Oleksandr Usyk nears retirement from boxing, he is preparing for life away from the ring.Now 39 years old, Usyk insists he only has three fights left in his glittering career.Usyk is a keen football player and has appeared in multiple friendlies for Ukrainian club FC PolissyaInstagram / usykaaHis antepenultimate bout is set to take place on May 23 when he locks horns with kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven in the shadows of Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza.Providing he comes out of the contest unscathed, Usyk is eyeing a fight with whoever emerges victorious from Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois‘ upcoming WBO title fight, followed by one last bow against his old friend Tyson Fury.In retirement, Usyk is hoping to stay involved in boxing while also indulging in his other passion, football.‘The Cat’ is a keen player and has made multiple appearances for Ukrainian Premier League outfit FC Polissya in friendlies over the years.He recently came on as a 75th-minute substitute during a 2-0 win over Thomas Muller‘s Vancouver Whitecaps in January.And is now stepping into a more significant role at the club.“I am starting a new chapter – as the first vice president of the football club Polissya,” Usyk wrote on Instagram.“For me, this is not just a position. It is an opportunity to influence, strengthen and develop Ukrainian sports at an even higher level. “I have always said: strength is in discipline, honesty and teamwork. “These principles remain with me here. One of my first directions will be referee reform in Ukraine. Instagram @usykaaUsyk is now the vice president of FC Polissya[/caption]“I believe that transparency and fairness should be the basis of the game.”Oleksandr Usyk working hard outside of the ropesUsyk’s announcement came on the same day that he promoted his first boxing show in nearly five years.Under the ‘Usyk 17 banner’, the future first ballot Hall of Famer had previously staged two shows in 2020 and 2021, respectively.Due to his own boxing career and the Russian invasion of his home country, he was forced to pause his promotional outfit.However, on Saturday night in Lisniki, Ukraine, his training partner, Daniel Lapin, headlined a card at the Equides Club.Usyk watched on from ringside with Anthony Joshua as Olympic gold medallist Oleksandr Khzyzhniak halted Wilmer Baron in the opening stanza of his professional debut, before Lapin did the same to Kristaps Bulmeistars.Usyk will next take on Verhoeven in a surprise bout this yearGettyBoxing scheduleFor all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s boxing schedule.