Oleksandr Usyk's options assessed after dramatic 11th-round Rico Verhoeven victory in Giza

A mandatory against Agit Kabayel? A rematch with Rico Verhoeven? What next for Oleksandr Usyk after his dramatic victory in front of the pyramids.

Usyk survived an almighty scare, stopping Verhoeven in the final second of round 11 just as the Dutch kickboxer threatened to pull off one of boxing's greatest upsets.

On a night when the champion looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, the shockwaves of his performance have rippled across the division, leaving the heavyweight landscape - and Usyk's options - suddenly wide open.

The WBC mandatory challenger has been waiting patiently for his shot at Usyk and now he is in pole position.

After beating Verhoeven, Usyk must defend his WBC title against Kabayel next or else face being stripped of the belt.

Kabayel was at ringside to witness Usyk's performance and got into the ring to lay down his challenge to Usyk in person.

"First of all, congratulations Oleksandr," he said. "I've waited for this situation for so long, I am ready.

"Germany is waiting for the fight. I know many Ukrainian people live in Germany. Let's do the fight in Germany in a stadium. Boxing fans want this fight, let's do it.

Usyk replied: "OK, no problem. Brother. I am ready."

The prospect of an immediate rematch gained momentum almost as soon as the final bell sounded.

Ring Magazine CEO Rick Reeno joined Kabayel in the ring, as did Turki Alalshikh, who made it clear that Verhoeven's performance had shifted the conversation.

The Dutchman may have fallen short, but he pushed Usyk to the brink in a way few expected - and that alone has strengthened calls for a second meeting.

Alalshikh outlined his vision for how the next chapter should unfold, balancing mandatory obligations with the appetite for a blockbuster return bout.

"This is the choice of Usyk. This is not the right time," he said. "He [Kabayel] is in line, but Rico deserves a rematch after Kabayel. We want to see Kabayel, and then the rematch with Rico in Holland."

A rematch in the Netherlands - Verhoeven's home turf - would be a huge commercial event, and given how close he came to producing a seismic upset, there is appetite to see it again.

Frank Warren has warned Oleksandr Usyk he "would not stand" for the Ukrainian entertaining the prospect of a rematch with Rico Verhoeven instead of fighting Agit Kabayel.