Oleksandr Usyk will take on Rico Verhoeven in Egpyt in May with the WBC ruling his heavyweight world title will be on the line
Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight world title WILL be on the line when he takes on kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.
Usyk will take on the Dutchman in Egypt on May 23 with Verhoeven fighting for just the second time in a boxing ring. Usyk, who holds three of the world titles, had been told his WBC belt would not be on the line for the fight, but that decision was reversed just 24 hours later.
The WBC committee has ruled Usyk can make a voluntary defence of his belt before they force him to defend it against mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel. A statement from the sanctioning body read: “After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defence against legendary kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven.
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“At its 63rd Annual Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC granted Champion Usyk a voluntary defense. Subsequently, the WBC received a petition to sanction the Usyk v. Herhoeven fight as a voluntary defence. Champion Usyk’s has showcased incredible activity in recent years, facing and defeating champions in his division like Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice.
“He did all of that while maintaining his undefeated record. In reaching its approval decision, the WBC Board of Governors considered champion Usyk’s activity, which is unprecedented, especially in the heavyweight division.
“Rico has been competing professionally at an elite kickboxing level since 2005. Over the course of two decades while maintaining that very highest level of competition, he has established himself as arguably one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxing champions of all time.
“Rico’s professional journey has been exceptional, which includes headlining and selling out major stadium arenas in front of 30,000 and 40,000 spectators worldwide. At 36 years of age, he competed in 76 professional kickboxing fights. Rico just recently vacated the Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight title going undefeated in 11 years.
“The transition from kickboxing to boxing is not unprecedented. Many Muay Thai athletes have successfully crossed over into professional boxing and competed for WBC titles early in their boxing careers. This WBC decision is within the WBC rules and regulations. The pyramids of Egypt will give this event a historic importance and surroundings. That has been the dream of many, including our beloved WBC President Jose Sulaiman.”