Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven: Big Fight Preview & Prediction

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven: Big Fight Preview & Prediction

The Google searches would have been rampant when the news of the latest opponent for Oleksandr Usyk was announced several months ago. A kickboxer that the boxing fraternity would not have heard of. Within seconds of Rico Verhoeven being typed into the powerhouse search engine, most so-called boxing experts would have declared themselves experts on Verhoeven. The new brigade of boxing media quickly made their clickbait videos. Reading off their hastily prepared notes. An extensive, I am being a touch sarcastic, breakdown of the career of the decorated kickboxer.

It is a sign of the times in many ways. Not only how modern boxing media works. But also, the kind of fight we have tonight.

Oleksandr Usyk is the true heavyweight champion of the world. Everyone knows the Ukrainian master. But nobody knew who the latest opponent was. A sign that maybe the fight shouldn’t be happening. Verhoeven is the king in his sport. But boxing isn’t his sport. There lies the problem.

The likes of Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou have learned that over the years. Yes, Ngannou did have a much better than expected effort against Tyson Fury. But Fury most certainly assisted in that fight, being a lot more competitive than it should have been. Fury didn’t take the challenge of the MMA fighter seriously enough. Anthony Joshua did, and Ngannou was flattened in devastating fashion. Verhoeven will hope that Usyk has done a Fury-like preparation. He is likely to be disappointed. Usyk, the true professional, is highly unlikely to take any victory for granted.

Rico Verhoeven has boxed before. A 2014 outing against a 0-5 fighter. Janos Finfera was stopped in two rounds and never fought again. Even the 1-0 resume of Freddie Flintoff carries more weight.

But the 37-year-old Dutch kickboxer returns in the name of the dollar. The pyramids of Giza play host to an event that might have a truly breathtaking backdrop. But the action inside the ring will almost certainly be distinctly underwhelming. This is all about the scenery and the glitz and glamour funded by someone who is like a kid in a sweet shop. Turki Al-Sheikh undoubtedly loves the sport. But he should care about the credibility of the sport as well. Call me old-fashioned, but I care more about the fight on offer. This one lacks in every single department. Even the somewhat poor undercard doesn’t entice.

Verhoeven trains with Peter Fury and has had a six-month training camp in preparation for what looks like mission impossible. But all the talk of the element of surprise looks fanciful at best. They say in heavyweight boxing, you never know. Sometimes you do.

Usyk is the best heavyweight on the planet. Wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois tell us that. The Ukrainian has beaten them all twice. Usyk is now 39, but there are no real signs of slippage. Even if there is after a near-year-long ring hiatus, he will still have more than enough to beat a novice fighter like Verhoeven. Usyk is 1/33 to win. Odds that strongly suggest that he will win with the minimum of discomfort.

After what he has achieved throughout his truly glorious career, the two-division undisputed champion is probably allowed an easy night’s work. But equally, having world titles carries certain obligations. Defending them against deserving and ranked challengers. Rico Verhoeven is neither. Usyk still holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight baubles. Even he is only allowed so much leniency.

Usyk will win. I don’t see it being in any way competitive. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. I’m sure Verhoeven will be brave and do what he can. But we all know what the limitations will be, even before we see the fight. It will end inside the distance, probably before we even reach the halfway point. Hopefully, if and when Usyk fights again, we have a much better spectacle in terms of what we get inside the ring. You know, where it really matters. The sport deserves better. In truth, so does Oleksandr Usyk.

Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing