Usyk to Defend Against Kickboxer World Champion Verhoeven
The WBC has allowed Oleksandr Usyk to make a voluntary defence of his title against Rico Verhoeven on May 23rd in Egypt. Usyk was permitted a voluntary defence at the annual WBC convention last year. The provision permits a reigning champion to take on a non-madatory bout before facing the WBC designated challenger.
Rico Verhoeven, who is a long time kickboxing world champion from the Netherlands, has one professional boxing match on his record, which took place over ten years ago. Rico is not ranked in the WBC rankings and has never competed in a WBC sanctioned bout during his career.
This ruling means that Agit Kabayel, the current interim titleholder, remains the mandatory challenger for the WBC belt. Kabayel is due to fight the winner of Usyk vs Verhoeven sometime later this year. Agit Kabayel secured the interim title through his WBC bouts and is the division’s leading contender under the present structure.
Oleksandr Usyk has been the main man in the heavyweight division for the last five years beating Tyson Fury twice, Anthony Joshua twice, and Daniel Dubois twice. Usyk has never tasted defeat in his professional boxing career, winning world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight. Usyk is a sure hall of fame boxer and someone who will go down in history as one of the best ever.
The Ukrainian champion is in full preparation mode ahead of his WBC title defence against Rico Verhoeven.
