The world heavyweight boxing champion according to the WBC, WBA and IBF versions, 39-year-old Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (24 wins, 15 of them by knockout), who defeated Briton Daniel Dubois in a rematch last year, will fight for the WBC belt against 36-year-old Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven (he will turn 37 on April 10) on May 23 near the Giza pyramids in Egypt, The Ring reports.
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“I sincerely respect people who reach the top in their sport. Rico is one of them, a powerful athlete and a great champion,” said Oleksandr Usyk . “Being a champion is not just about belts. It’s years of hard work, discipline and faith. I respect his path – he is the true king of kickboxing. But this is boxing – a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.
I'm ready and looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It will be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. It's a big night coming up.”
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“I spent 12 years as the absolute heavyweight kickboxing champion of the world and achieved everything I set out to do,” said Rico Verhoeven . “But being at the top for so long didn’t diminish my hunger—it only increased it. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest possible challenge in another world.
“Usyk is the absolute champion in boxing. It is these challenges that motivate me. Absolute against absolute. The best against the best.”
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It should be noted that the Ukrainian's opponent, who buried his mother three weeks ago, ended his kickboxing career last year. Before that, the giant from the Netherlands (Rico's height is 196 cm, arm span is 210 cm) had held the title of the world's strongest kickboxer in heavyweight (in the most prestigious kickboxing organization, Glory) since 2014. In total, Verhoeven won 66 victories and suffered 10 defeats during his career.
By the way, the Dutchman has one fight each in boxing and MMA. In April 2014, Verhoeven knocked out little-known Hungarian boxer Janos Finfera, and in April 2015, at a mixed martial arts tournament in Romania, he defeated his opponent by technical knockout in the first round.
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Recall that Oleksandr Usyk became the absolute champion for the second time after his second victory over Dubois, but later the Ukrainian parted with the WBO title, which went to Briton Fabio Wardley.
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Previously, “FACTS” reported that Oleksandr Usyk was included in the list of the richest boxers of all time.
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