Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven spoke about the specifics of his transition to professional boxing and assessed his chances in the upcoming fight against the current WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight title holder Oleksandr Usyk. Verhoeven stated this in a commentary for DAZN.
The fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven is scheduled for May 23, 2026 in Egypt. The fight will take place against the backdrop of the Giza pyramids, where the Ukrainian will defend his WBC heavyweight belt. For Usyk, this entry into the ring will be the first experience of confronting not a professional boxer, but a representative of another martial art.
Rico Verhoeven is a titled kickboxer who has been competing professionally since 2004. A meeting with the Ukrainian champion, who has a record of 24-0, will be a challenge in a new format for the Dutchman, as the specifics of professional boxing are significantly different from the usual fighting regulations for him.