Boxing Champion vs. Kickboxing King: Usyk vs. Verhoeven Fight Preview
Kyiv • UNN
Usyk will face Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt near the Giza Pyramids. The WBC title and a special pendant worth 40,000 dollars will be at stake.
On Saturday, May 23, WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will face Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. The WBC belt will be on the line, and the winner will also receive a WBC "Main Event" champion chain and pendant valued at $40,000. UNN reports on what is known before the fight, where to watch, and who the bookmakers' favorite is.
The confrontation between the fighters will take place in Giza, Egypt, at a historic site – at the foot of the ancient pyramids on the Giza plateau. The fight will be held under boxing rules, despite Verhoeven being a kickboxer. Interestingly, a temporary open-air arena was specially built for the match.
The boxing evening will begin at 18:00 Kyiv time, and the main event – the bout between Usyk and Verhoeven – will start around 00:30.
Undercard fights before the main event
Before the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight, nine more bouts will take place, including our compatriot Daniel Lapin, who will face Frenchman Benjamin Mendez Tani.
Remaining fights:
- Hamzah Sheeraz (UK) – Alem Begic (Germany);
- Jack Catterall (UK) – Shahram Giyasov (Uzbekistan);
- Frank Sanchez (Cuba) – Richard Torrez Jr. (USA);
- Mizuki Hiruta (Japan) – Mai Soliman (Australia);
- Basem Mamdouh (Egypt) – Jamar Talley (USA);
- Sultan Almohammed (Saudi Arabia) – Didi Imprax (Indonesia);
- Mahmoud Mubarak (Egypt) – Ali Serunkuma (Uganda);
- Omar Hikal (Egypt) – Michael Calvaglia (Kenya).
Note that the winner of the Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr. pair is expected to become the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, currently held by Oleksandr Usyk.
What is known about Rico Verhoeven
Rico Verhoeven was born on April 10, 1989, in the small Dutch town of Bergen op Zoom. His father was a Kyokushin karate black belt and began training his son when he was only five years old.
At the age of 16, he made his professional debut. During his kickboxing career, he has secured about 66 victories with 10 losses. Early in his career, in 2012 at the K-1 World MAX tournament in Madrid, Verhoeven lost in an extra round to Ukrainian Muay Thai master Serhiy Lashchenko, who was shot dead in Odesa in 2015.
In 2013, Verhoeven won the heavyweight title of the most prestigious kickboxing organization, Glory, and held the title for 12 years.
Verhoeven has never been afraid to step outside of a single style. He had a brief but 100% successful experience in mixed martial arts (MMA).
In addition, he has tested himself in classic boxing. At one time, he sparred with former world champion Tyson Fury when the "Gypsy King" was training in the Netherlands. The Dutchman's official boxing debut took place in 2014, when he knocked out Janos Finfer in the second round.
What will be at stake
In February of this year, it became known that Usyk would fight Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
In April, the first face-off between the athletes took place, where Usyk produced a new meme – "Be careful, bratan."
During the press conference, the host addressed Hearn: "You've worked with Oleksandr Usyk quite a few times as his promoter, he's also broken your heart a few times, so choose your words carefully because Rico Verhoeven is a big man, and he's currently within arm's reach of you, but what are the main questions regarding this fight on your mind?"
To which Usyk intervened and said sarcastically: "Be careful, bratan," to which Verhoeven's promoter replied: "I know."
At that time, Usyk stated that for the first time he would be fighting someone he wants to, rather than someone he has to.
"I am very happy to be here. I am very happy to be back in the UK, you know, I missed it a bit these six months, yes, since the last time. Thank you very much. Thanks to the organizers who made this happen. Thank you, Rico. Thank you to Rico's team. This is a familiar challenge. Many people say: 'Why isn't he a boxer?' He's a great guy. He's a dangerous guy. You know, I want to, please, for once do what I want, not what I have to, because often I do what others need, and you must, you have to box like this, you have to box like that, I say: 'Okay, okay, okay.' Now I'm doing what I need," Usyk said in April.
On Sunday, May 17, Oleksandr Usyk and his team arrived in Egypt. On Tuesday, May 19, Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven held a face-off against the backdrop of the pyramids in Egypt.
The fight is officially sanctioned by the WBC as a championship bout, so only this belt can change owners. In other organizations, Verhoeven is not ranked and is not eligible to challenge for the championship.
Verhoeven will receive the WBC belt if he defeats Usyk. Oleksandr will also defend his WBA and IBF titles. In case of defeat, he will lose these belts, but they will not pass to Verhoeven because the Dutchman is currently not in the organizations' rankings.
The winner will also receive a commemorative title – the WBC "King Of The Nile" belt, as well as a WBC "Main Event" champion chain and pendant valued at $40,000.
Additionally, the winner will receive "The Ring" belt.
On Thursday, May 21, a press conference was held between Verhoeven and Usyk, where the athletes met face-to-face.
During the press conference, Usyk stated that the upcoming fight is a historic moment for him.
"Today is a big day for me – the press conference. But first, I want to congratulate all people of my faith, everyone who believes in Jesus Christ – today is the Ascension of the Lord. Congratulations. I am happy to be here. For me, this is the first time, you know, it's a historic moment. I think today was the first face-off when we went up to the pyramids and got closer, I said: 'Wow, this is incredible.' For me, it's the first time. Sometimes people from my team were here, but not me. It's wonderful. Thank you very much to Turki (Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority of Saudi Arabia - ed.) for the organization – everything was at a high level. I am happy. I am happy every time, brother," Usyk said on the eve of the fight.
This is a historical moment for me: Usyk on the fight with Verhoeven21.05.26, 22:32 • 2994 views
Where to watch, who is the favorite
In Ukraine, the live broadcast of the fight will be available only on the Kyivstar TV platform in the Premium HD package. In addition, the evening's undercard bouts, the official press conference, and the weigh-in ceremony will be shown there.
According to bookmakers, Usyk is considered the clear favorite for the upcoming confrontation. The odds for the Ukrainian's victory are 1.05.
Verhoeven's triumph is valued at 9.50, and a draw at 26.00. The most likely outcome of the fight is an early victory for Oleksandr with odds of 1.20, while his victory on points is at 5.00.