The boxing world has received plenty of shocking news in recent weeks, with Conor Benn moving from Matchroom to Zuffa Boxing. Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao 2 was also confirmed, and then Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoevenwas announced, leaving the boxing world wondering what could be next. The WBC seemed intent on billing this as a “special event,” but it appears they have now changed their stance on the fight.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: Vital change confirmed by the WBC
Originally, as reported by Dan Rafael and others: “The WBC fully supports this cross over fight. It will be a WBC ‘special event’ and we will create an unbelievable belt featuring the elements of Pyramids of Egypt. The WBC supported Fury vs. Nganu [sic] which turned out to be very competitive and we have full respect of Rico as a legendary kickboxing heavyweight champion. At this moment there has not been discussion of a request to be a title defense and just a special event involving the WBC heavyweight champion.”
This stance appears to have changed drastically, with the WBC announcing via their own website: “After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defense against legendary kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven.”
