Rico Verhoeven vs Oleksandr Usyk official for WBC Heavyweight Championship — May 23 in Egypt (DAZN)

Is the "Nile" Belt on the line?

 

The Nile crocodiles are wating in line...

 

Look, Usyk is going to win this thing of course. But given the low bar, I think there is every chance that Verhoeven could do better than Joshua 1, who basically cruised to a loss, and Dubois, who was totally outclassed and stopped in two fights.

Verhoeven has some things going for him...

1) Working with Peter Fury for 14 years. Has sparred Tyson and a number of other very good fighters.
2) A huge man, that apparently does have good, powerful right, even if it does not translate to a KO percentage.
3) The heart, will, experience and expectations of a combat sports champion.
4) Awkward style. A lot of people forget that there is a fine tradition of guys like Troy Dorsey and James Warring coming from kickboxing and doing well because their opponents have some difficulty timing them. Similar to how major league hitters sometime have trouble in exhibitions against softball pitchers. "Different angles," as Rico says.
5) Kickboxers often have very good chins, and, sometimes, throw a high volume.

And, finally,

6) Usyk is almost certainly going to revert back to his slow start style and give Rico the opportunity to win rounds. It isn't going easy on him, it's how he used to fight, against Hunter, Bellew, Chisora, etc. When he is confident, he spends the first couple of rounds in second geat.

 

Joshua won 3-4 rounds in the first round Usyk fight. He legitimately hurt Usyk in that fight from rounds 4-6 ish. Usyk had to use his legs to stay away at some moments. It was not easy even though Usyk won like 8-4 or 9-3 .

i don’t see Rico winning 3-4 rounds unless Usyk gives away the first couple of rounds . Joshua legit won some middle rounds.

 

Usyk should absolutely demolish Rico if it's on the level and he takes this remotely seriously. Watch Rico's padwork. He drops his right after every 1-2 he throws. He does this in his kickboxing bouts too. This tell will absolutely not be gone by the time the bout happens. Even if he starts well he will quickly revert to type once caught or under pressure.
He is massively open to an Usyk 'Ivan' shot. If an actual skilled heavyweight boxer with a top class jab like Dubois was caught and KOd then Rico will in all likelihood be seeing sleepytime early.

 

If Rico isn't hyperventilating by the third round, I'll be shocked.

Most of Rico's kickboxing fights were only scheduled for three rounds. He recently said boxing is a lot more difficult than kickboxing. And he said it's good to wear headgear when sparring because his eyes were swollen after his first "pure boxing" sparring session.

No head movement. No endurance. No defense. No power, even when he kicks a guy in the head. No experience as a boxer.

This fight lasts as long as Usyk can carry him.

Jake Paul would've probably been a better choice. Rico's nearly 40 years old himself.

It's Usyk vs. a 37-year-old novice with one boxing match under his belt.

Usyk could close his eyes and land on this guy's head.

Just awful.

 

I still don't see the point of this. Even if it's just for the money, Rico isn't that known.

 

Agreed, it's not like there was a massive public clamoring for Rico vs Usyk

 

Lets not get carried away now. Rico is still a high level kick-boxer, known for his stamina, and he has not lost a fight in ages. And unlike Jake, Rico actually has the size advantage here.

 

Known for his stamina in THREE ROUND FIGHTS.

Good Lord.

 

Hughie Fury beat up Rico in sparring two weeks ago.

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sh** show of a fight

 

Well this is surely a great sign of a close competitive fight. Usyk better be ready.