Usyk Eyes Shock Clash with Kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven
A potential fight between Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven is gaining momentum, leaving the boxing world stunned. The development comes after plans for a highly anticipated bout with Deontay Wilder fell through, as Wilder opted to face Derek Chisora in April.
Usyk, 37, last competed in July 2024, securing an undisputed heavyweight championship for the second time with a fifth-round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London. However, his reign was short-lived, as he subsequently vacated his WBO title to avoid a mandatory defense against Fabio Wardley, though he retains the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles.
The shift in opponents has left fans and industry insiders speculating about Usyk’s next move. While names like Andy Ruiz and Jarrell Miller were previously mentioned as potential contenders, a surprising new frontrunner has emerged.
“He’s going to have a fight against an MMA fighter, so he may not fight or defend his titles by the end of the year,” a leading promoter revealed to Seconds Out, seemingly confirming the rumors surrounding a matchup with Verhoeven. This promoter, who represents a stable of heavyweight fighters including Wardley, Dubois, Moses Itauma, Agit Kabayel, and Lawrence Okolie, expressed frustration with the delay in potential title challenges for his athletes.
Verhoeven, a dominant force in the kickboxing world, was previously linked to a potential fight against Anthony Joshua earlier this year. Now, it appears the Dutch fighter may be on the verge of a crossover clash with Usyk, a move that would undoubtedly captivate a global audience. The specifics of the proposed match-up, including weight class and ruleset, remain unknown at this time.
This potential bout raises questions about the future of heavyweight boxing and the increasing trend of cross-discipline fights. It remains to be seen how this unconventional challenge will impact Usyk’s standing in the division and whether it will pave the way for more similar matchups in the future.
