Usyk vs Verhoeven fight week has arrived but will the heavyweight champion take it easy on the novice boxer?
Some are shocked that the fight goes ahead.
It is a far bigger mismatch than Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua was.
A look at what the fight represents and some background info going in:
- Usyk has never lost a professional boxing match.
- Usyk has stopped 15 of 24 opponents inside the distance.
- Verhoeven’s sole boxing opponent held a record of 0 wins and 5 losses.
- Usyk is ranked number 1 pound-for-pound by The Ring Magazine.
- Verhoeven has not been assigned a BoxRec boxing ranking due to inactivity.
- Usyk has held world titles in two weight classes.
- Verhoeven held one world title in kickboxing.
- Usyk’s last 6 opponents were all ranked in the top 10 by The Ring at heavyweight.
- Verhoeven last competed in kickboxing in 2024.
- Usyk has fought in 9 different countries as a professional.
- Verhoeven’s 2014 boxing match took place in Germany.
- Usyk has 350+ amateur bouts on record.
- Verhoeven began kickboxing at age 5.
- Usyk trains at a camp in Spain for most heavyweight fights.
- Verhoeven trains in the Netherlands under the Superpro Sport system.
We don’t think Usyk will take it easy on Rico.
It is not an exhibition but it is a genuine professional fight that is being somehow marketed as a showcase for the sport.
Sure.
