Being a boxing journalist in recent weeks has meant being forced, against one’s will, to report one absurd piece of news after another. The latest announcement set to spark debate and controversy is that heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his WBC belt on the line against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven. The fight will take place on May 23 at the Giza Necropolis in Egypt and will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN.
Rico Verhoeven, 36, has fought only one professional boxing match in his life. It was back in 2014 when the Dutch athlete knocked out the very modest Hungarian boxer Janos Finfera, who at the time had a record of five losses in as many fights, all by knockout.
The total lack of a boxing résumé makes the WBC’s decision to sanction the fight for its title particularly astonishing. According to the official announcement, the bout will not be valid for the IBF and WBA titles, which are also currently held by the Ukrainian champion.
Usyk last defended his belts this past summer, when he brutally knocked out British fighter Daniel Dubois at Wembley, reclaiming the IBF title he had previously vacated. Dubois had obtained it without fighting and then surprisingly defended it successfully against Anthony Joshua.
Usyk was then expected to face WBO mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley, who had forcefully removed Joseph Parker from the top spot in the rankings. However, the Ukrainian chose to vacate the belt, allowing the British puncher to claim it without even stepping into the ring.
Now it is the WBC’s turn to enforce a mandatory challenger, and the designation had fallen on German fighter of Kurdish descent Agit Kabayel. However, Mauricio Sulaiman’s organization has ruled that the champion may take one voluntary defense before fulfilling his obligation — and that concession has been used to set up the fight against Verhoeven.
Needless to say, from a sporting standpoint this fight makes no logical sense. Verhoeven has roughly the same chance of winning as a 100-meter world champion would have when facing a marathon runner over 42 kilometers.
These were the first statements from the two fighters:
Oleksandr Usyk:
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”
Rico Verhoeven:
“I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”