Undisputed heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk will play in the a charity football match in Portugal on Sept. 15.
The “Legends Charity Game” — which will be held at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon — will feature ex-Premier League stars including Edwin van der Sar, Petr Cech, John Terry, and Michael Owen.
Carles Puyol, Alessandro Del Piero, Henrik Larsson, Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Kaka are also set to play in the game.
“Everyone else playing is a former footballer, but when Oleksandr Usyk asks if he can play, you say yes,” founder and CEO of Sport Global Rasmus Sojmark said.
Usyk will be promoting the Usyk Foundation, his charity which helps communities in Ukraine as well as the Ukrainian army.
A source told ESPN Usyk plans to play at least the first 10 minutes of the match, but will be closely monitored as he returns to full fitness following his win over Daniel Dubois in July.
The 38-year-old has been given a 90-day medical extension by the WBO after being ordered to fight interim champion Joseph Parker following the win over Dubois.
It means Usyk has more time to decide his next move.
Sergey Lapin, CEO of Usyk’s team, said the Ukrainian is recovering, but that does not mean he is unable to do any physical activity.
“Usyk has not been prescribed bed rest; he is allowed to take part in charity sporting events and engage in moderate physical activity,” Lapin told Ready to Fight.
“But it’s obvious that dancing or attending events is not the same as a three-month training camp for a title fight.”
Usyk submitted medical evidence to the WBO outlining his inability to immediately return to training and was granted the extension earlier this week.
He will now fight either Parker or Fabio Wardley, who fight in London on Oct. 25, or vacate the WBO title.