Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: Stance 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 changed drastically, with the WBC announcing on 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.”
Rico Verhoeven fires back at critics
Verhoeven made his name as a kickboxer, the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight champion. He has an exceptional record of 66-10 with 21 wins by knockout. His one professional boxing match came in 2014, defeating Hungarian debutant Janos Finfera.
The Dutch legend will be up against it, but he’s a winner who’s not used to anything other than having his hand raised.
Discussing the criticism he’s received, and his relationship with Peter Fury, Verhoeven told Helwani:
“The transition from being a kickboxer to boxing — I’ve been boxing for the last 15 years.
Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, Peter Fury has been added to Team Rico.’ Guys, I’ve been training with Peter Fury for the last 15 years.
“Back in the day, just coming as a sparring partner for Tyson Fury, and just being there constantly, putting in the work, and getting better. Turning from a sparring partner into a training partner. That’s also one of the key elements that made me such a good kickboxer.”
Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.
