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Add FightsATW on GoogleIn the curious case of Oleksandr Usyk defending his WBC heavyweight world title against Rico Verhoeven in front of the Pyramids of Giza this Saturday, spectacle has replaced competition.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) has built his reputation into one of the greatest fighters on the planet by continuously fighting in away territory to become a two-weight and three-time undisputed champion. The Ukrainian superstar’s last six fights include two with Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and Tyson Fury, further cementing his legacy. However, having a pick-em with former kickboxing king Verhoeven has not added any extra substance to his already glittering career.
Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KOs) will go down as probably the greatest kickboxer of all time. The 37-year-old retired last year following eleven years as the Glory heavyweight world champion. Verhoeven crossed over to boxing against the 0-5 Janos Finfera in a largely under-the-radar second-round stoppage victory in Hessen, Germany, over eleven years ago. The period that signified Verhoeven’s career came immediately after his one and only professional boxing match.
In regard to the status of Usyk’s three world championship belts, only the WBC will be on the line in Egypt. However, the WBA has said that their belt will only be on the line, but only for Usyk. In the unlikely event of a Verhoeven victory, the belt will become vacant. The IBF has said something to a similar effect, but the belt won’t be on the line for either fighter. The varied stances of all three governing bodies reflect a similar public opinion: little hope for the Dutchman’s chances.
The crossover battle will envelop a region that has seen a recent resurgence in boxing with the emergence of talented light heavyweight Gradus Kraus, who was recently signed to British promotion Boxxer. I was fortunate enough to work as a commentator on two shows in Holland last year, sitting ringside at two sell-out shows in Utrecht and Rotterdam. During my time in the country where Kraus recorded two spectacular stoppage victories, it was clear that boxing had arrived in a land historically focused on kickboxing. Curiously, though, it’s a kickboxer who gets a stab at the big time in boxing.
“The Dutch sporting scene is very divided in this fight,” Sander Brunt told FightsATW, a Dutch boxing reporter on the ground in Egypt for Exceed Boxing. “The people who know their boxing love the platform Rico has given boxing, but know he doesn’t stand a chance. The majority of the country just knows Rico and think this will be a piece of cake. Boxing is a new phenomenon for the kickboxing fans in the Netherlands. They know Gradus Kraus and maybe Fury and Anthony Joshua, but other than that, it’s still kickboxing that rules in the Netherlands. All the casual sport fans that know nothing about boxing know this fight is happening on Saturday though.”
From a Ukrainian perspective, I spoke with the Founder of LuckyPunch, Oleksandr Chepilko, who is also on the ground reporting on his compatriot. “Ukrainian boxing fans think that this is more entertainment than boxing. All respect to Usyk’s achievements, and we generally understand that he now just wants to earn money in the final chapter of his career. Everyone understands that Rico doesn’t have any chance. Some of the fans in Ukraine would like to see Usyk fight Agit Kabayel, as the German looks like a competitive opponent.”
OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN PREDICTION
22 May 2026. Picture By Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Almost feels like a trick question, but it isn’t. Verhoeven won’t make it past six rounds! That’s the very best he can hope for. Usyk weighed in at a career heaviest at 233.3 pounds, although it’s not too far from his last fight weight of 227.3 pounds. Verhoeven will be around 25 pounds heavier than the champion after today’s weigh-in, but it all means very little to the end result.
Verhoeven won’t run from Usyk; he’ll likely come out firing, trying to land any early knockdown. It’s his only real chance. His mental capacity will be exhausted against arguably the most skilled boxer on the planet after two or three rounds, leading to sloppy attacks that will be devastatingly countered by Usyk. Verhoeven will show guts and bravery and will likely receive plaudits, helping secure another lucrative boxing bout. However, the writing is already on the wall, as Usyk will toy and entertain to build his stardom rather than his combat resume
OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN BETTING ODDS
Per BETUS, Oleksandr Usyk is the favorite at -5000, and Rico Verhoeven is the underdog at +1200.
Oleksandr Usyk: TKO/KO -400; Decision +375
Draw: +2800
Rico Verhoeven: TKO/KO +1400; Decision +2800
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