Oleksandr Usyk surprised the boxing world this week by confirming he will return to the ring against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. The fight, for the WBC heavyweight world title, is scheduled for May 23 in Giza, Egypt and is a voluntary defence the WBC has allowed before Usyk meets his mandatory challenger.
Rico Verhoeven is best known as a dominant figure in heavyweight kickboxing. The Dutchman held the longest winning streak in Glory, vacated his kickboxing title after a final defence last June, and carries a career record reported at 66 wins from 76 fights. He has also tried his hand at MMA and professional boxing, recording a knockout victory in his sole outing in each sport.
Despite Verhoeven’s combat credentials, most observers expect a tough task for him in a straight boxing match against Usyk. Usyk was a World and Olympic gold medallist as an amateur and remains unbeaten as a professional. He became undisputed at cruiserweight after winning the World Boxing Super Series, and at heavyweight has defeated the likes of Anthony Joshua (twice), Tyson Fury (twice) and Daniel Dubois (twice), establishing himself as a dominant force in the division.
British Muay Thai legend Liam Harrison, who has starred in ONE Championship, said he admires Verhoeven but doubts anyone can outbox Usyk. Speaking to Sky Sports he said: “I think Rico’s going to have to boot him in the leg if he wants to get any sort of advantage over him! No one can beat Usyk in a boxing fight, I don’t care who you are. He’s the best heavyweight on this planet and he’s the best heavyweight of this era. If guys like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua can’t put a dent in him, no one’s going to be able to put a dent in him I’m afraid.”
Harrison also defended the decision to give Verhoeven a chance on a major stage, noting that pioneers of a sport deserve opportunities and rewards: “Guys like that who paved the way in kickboxing have been the GOATs in their generation, they deserve to get these sort of paydays and these sort of chances to showcase what they can do and get some big money.”
Promoter Frank Warren, who represents Usyk’s previous mandatory Fabio Wardley and current WBC mandatory Agit Kabayel, said Usyk is weighing fights by their value and payday potential. Warren told Sky Sports: “All he’s doing now he’s looking at fights, what is the value for him of a fight. That’s why he wants this. He’s probably looked at what AJ’s done, what Tyson did when he fought Ngannou and thinking he’ll have some of that and they look at it sometimes as being an easier job. Whether it is or it’s not, we will see. Usyk just wants the paydays now. He’s stamped his mark in boxing. He’s the heavyweight of the 21st century and that’s where he’s at.”