Oleksandr Usyk v Rico Verhoeven

[Master]

Oleksandr Usyk will return to the ring in May when he defends his WBC heavyweight title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven.

at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, has not fought since stopping Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July.

In a bout organisers have dubbed the 'Glory in Giza', 36-year-old Dutch heavyweight Verhoeven will be boxing for the first time since 2014 when he faces Usyk on 23 May.

"I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport," said Usyk, who is unbeaten across his 24 professional bouts.

"Rico is one of them - a powerful athlete and a great champion.

"Being a champion isn't just about belts. It's about years of hard work, discipline and belief.

"I respect his journey - he's truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing - a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.

"A big night is coming."

Verhoeven had 76 fights and 66 wins in his kickboxing career before announcing his departure from the sport in November.

"I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn't take away the hunger, it strengthened it," said Verhoeven.

"I wasn't looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world.

"Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That's the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best."

This is a world heavyweight title fight in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - a backdrop so spectacular it almost distracts from how extraordinary, and frankly bizarre, the contest itself is.

Details of the fight's location are light, other than that it will be "under the shadow of ancient giants".

But no matter the location, this will be a mammoth mismatch.

Even in this current era of boxing, where hype and profit can outweigh logic, this sits high on the "how did we get here?" list.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/c5yqpj9ppkgo

[X]

Very disappointed in Usyk. I thought he had more integrity than that, to be honest.

[Master]

Usyk has certainly deserved to face someone easier but not a kick-boxer and this classed as title defence.

[Master]

Thankfully it will not be now for the WBC title.

[Master]

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman announcing on Sunday that Usyk had in fact been granted a voluntary defence of his WBC heavyweight title.

"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," a statement read.

https://talksport.com/boxing/4015503...ico-verhoeven/

[Master]

[Spicoli]

The absurdity of it all. When I think of the last couple of Turki-Tko-sella affiliated announced events lately. They and Wbc will wink n nod try to attach a belt to it, just 'legitimizing' the shitshow for all. I thought more of Usyk than going this route, for sure.

[Master]

WBA 'regular' title holder Murat Gassiev's promoter Al Siesta wants his charge to receive the same courtesy, even if the Ukrainian is stripped.

He told Sky Sports: "It does present an interesting situation with the WBA title.

"We are currently awaiting communication from our friends at the WBA regarding the status of Usyk as 'Super' champion.

"Usyk has not made a mandatory defence of his WBA title since August 2023 [against Daniel Dubois], which we understand as he has been involved in big unification fights.

"It seems that he is now looking to maximise his earnings and have these 'event' fights against kickboxers and such. All we ask is for this not to hold up the activity in the heavyweight division.

"It is a similar situation to the WBO, who stripped Usyk when he decided not to face [mandatory challenger] Fabio Wardley.

"If the WBA title is not at stake for Usyk against Verhoeven, then it only makes logical sense to strip him of his title or make him a 'Champion in Recess'.

"This would allow for Murat to be elevated to 'Super' champion. I can promise Murat will defend his WBA title with pride against the most deserving opponent - he is not interested in gimmick fights.

"Then, if Usyk wishes to reclaim his title, Murat would be more than happy to oblige him."

https://talksport.com/boxing/4025822...d-heavyweight/

[TIC]

i have no issue with oleksandr getting his bag but he should vacate the titles & if he's not going to then the sanctioning bodies need to do so, problem is they want their piece as well so the worm keeps turning, business as usual