Rico Verhoeven is attempting one of the toughest transitions in combat sport: moving from elite kickboxing to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title on May 23.
The Dutchman dominated Glory kickboxing for more than a decade but has only one prior professional boxing bout. Jonathan Haggerty, the ONE Championship bantamweight and a kickboxing star, says Verhoeven deserves the chance despite the long odds. “He’s been a champion for years, undefeated. He’s just a beast of a guy really,” Haggerty told Sky Sports. “As long as he’s got no kicks then Usyk might be okay.” He added bluntly: “I don’t think he’s got a chance really. Usyk’s the best in the world for a reason.”
Verhoeven is working with experienced boxing trainer Peter Fury. Haggerty said the Dutchman is “in good hands” and suggested Verhoeven use his size and physicality to make the fight uncomfortable for Usyk: “Get stuck in. make it uncomfortable.”
Former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith noted the clash of disciplines and sizes: “He’s a big man so it’ll be an interesting one,” but added he’d be surprised if Usyk didn’t win handily. The bout carries the kind of storyline only boxing can deliver, he said, and promises intrigue because of the crossover element.
Usyk’s résumé includes wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. Analysts point to several defining attributes that make him especially hard to beat.
Richie Woodhall calls Usyk “the best counter-puncher on the front foot that I’ve seen in a long time.” Unlike conventional counter-punchers who sit back and wait, Usyk often counters while moving forward. His movement is “unbelievable” — circular, never conceding ground, rarely trapped on ropes or in corners. That ability to hold the centre of the ring while circling bigger opponents creates a “bull against a matador” dynamic: Usyk controls distance and angles while avoiding being muscled out.
Woodhall emphasises the uniqueness of Usyk’s front-foot counters and his constant, ring-centre movement. “Which makes him very unique. But his counter-punching ability on the front foot, I haven’t seen better from anyone for years. He’s one in a million.”
Amir Khan, who has observed Usyk in camp, praised the Ukrainian’s hand-eye coordination and fluidity. “He moves like a lightweight and the way he throws those punches is like water. So easy and smooth,” Khan told Sky Sports. He described Usyk’s training as unusual and technical — footwork drills, vision work, catching coins, wall drills — and stressed the mental-first approach of his team. Khan said the way Usyk trains looks enjoyable rather than punishing, which helps sustain the high pace and precision in his boxing.
Khan also recounted seeing Usyk spar: he makes things look “boring” while still landing and breaking opponents’ confidence. “He knows how to break down a fighter,” Khan said, arguing that Usyk’s recent performances place him among the best heavyweights in history.
Taken together, the analysis points to why a decorated kickboxer like Verhoeven faces such an uphill task. Size and power will be his main weapons, and solid boxing coaching helps his case, but Usyk’s elite movement, timing, front-foot countering and ring IQ are tailor-made to neutralise bigger, less experienced boxers. The bout is compelling precisely because it pits Verhoeven’s physicality and kickboxing pedigree against Usyk’s refined, boxing-specific skill set and experience at the highest level.