THE STATUS of Oleksandr Usyk’s shock showdown with Rico Verhoeven has been plunged into chaos due to a massively contradictory statement.
The two-time undisputed king of the heavyweights will throw down with the kickboxing legend in a pyramid punch-up in Egypt on May 23.
The announcement of the fight, Usyk’s first since his stunning fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois in their rematch last July, stunned boxing fans.
As did the news that the fight would be for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight title.
That fact outraged the sport’s purists, who are adamant that German Agit Kabayel should be next for the pound-for-pound king.
But WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has seemingly walked back the announcement that the Mexican sanctioning body’s prestigious green and gold heavyweight belt will be up for grabs.
Giz a bit
Oleksandr Usyk to fight legendary ‘King of Kickboxing’ at Pyramids of Giza
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He told Sports Illustrated: “The WBC fully supports this cross-over fight.
“(We) will create an unbelievable belt featuring the elements of [the] Pyramids of Egypt.
“The WBC supported [Tyson] Fury vs [Francis] Ngannou which turned out to be very competitive.
“And we have full respect of Rico as a legendary kickboxing heavyweight champion.
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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury will make his return in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov while Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven.
Conor Benn features for the first time since making the switch to Zuffa Boxing and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora will fight for the 50th and (perhaps) final time against Deontay Wilder while Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
February
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
- Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – George Liddard vs Tyler Denny – British & Commonwealth Middleweight title – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman – Amazon Prime PPV
April
- Sat 4 – Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora – DAZN PPV
- Sat 11 – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Netflix
- Sat 11 – Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis – Netflix
- Sat 18 – Callum Smith vs David Morrell – DAZN
- Sat 18 – Manny Pacquiao vs Ruslan Provodnikov
- Sat 25 – Mike Tyson vs Floyd Mayweather
- Sat 25 – Lawrence Okolie vs Tony Yoka – DAZN
May
- Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN
- Sat 9 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video
- Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
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“At this moment, there has not been [a] discussion of a request to be a title defense and just a special event involving the WBC heavyweight champion.”
The title status of the fight, which Usyk is very much relishing, will likely become clear in the weeks before the bout takes place.
Usyk said: “I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. 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.
“I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring.
“It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”
Verhoeven, who hasn’t tasted defeat in over a decade, said: “I spent twelve 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.
“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.”