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

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by BoxerMaurits, Feb 2, 2026.


Who would win?

  1. Rico Verhoeven

    17 vote(s)
    10.6%

  2. Oleksandr Usyk

    143 vote(s)
    89.4%
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  1. OldSchoolBoxing

    OldSchoolBoxing Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Nobody cares about this fight, lol.
     
    OldSchoolBoxing, May 21, 2026
    OldSchoolBoxing, May 21, 2026
    #706
  2. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Rico has about the same chance of beating Usyk as I do scoring a date with Scarlett Johanson.

    This won't be remotely competitive, and any result other than a total domination just calls into question how much Usyk has faded as opposed to how good a boxer Rico is. Though I wish Rico the best of luck, he seems like a decent guy who could get himself a few pay days out of this.
     
    Kiwi Casual, May 21, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, May 21, 2026
    #707
    Serge likes this.
  3. Serge

    Serge Ginger Dracula Staff Member

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    I didn't say he'd beat him I said he poses a threat for the numerous reasons I outlined. Even a prime version of The Dosser is unskilled gangling bum who Usyk would toy with but he would still pose a threat. Fabio would still pose a threat even though he's basic as hell with very poor skills.

    Yes, on paper Usyk should win without much bother but given Rico's huge size advantage, athleticism, speed and especially speed for someone of his gargantuan dimensions, his unpredictability throwing punches and punches from angles Usyk isn't used to, and the fact he's the undisputed HW kickboxing champion, is arguably the GOAT HW kickboxing champion, hasn't lost a fight in 11.5 years, and has been training boxing with an elite boxing trainer for 15 years who trained his nephew to become a three-belt unified champion, and is brimming with self-belief and confidence it all combines to make him dangerous. His size, athleticism, speed, and unpredictability alone pose a threat

    And yes, I'm absolutely factoring Usyk's age into this as I do before everyone of his fights at his age because he's already slowed down a lot. If Usyk was in his prime and as fast as he used to be with his super sharp reflexes and reaction times it would be very different but he isn't

    People are acting like Rico's a tennis player or a snooker player or something with zero combat sport experience under his belt when he's one of the greatest kickboxers we've ever seen, hasn't lost a fight in 11.5 years, and in a sport where they throw extremely powerful kicks and punches (in the HW division no less) has only been stopped x 2 in almost 80 fights and that was way back when he was 21-22 vs massive punchers and he avenged both losses

    I've seen too many combat sports athletes from other disciplines cross over into boxing and do better or much better than damn near everyone expects them to to completely write off their chances, let alone when they're an undefeated in 11.5 years fast athletic kickboxing GOAT with a huge size advantage facing a 39 y/o

    Do I expect him to pull off a huge upset? No but he's a dangerous guy and I won't be surprised if he causes Usyk some problems and Usyk is still going to have to be wary of what's coming back at him

    Me too he seems like a great guy and well deserving of a huge payday
     
    Serge, May 21, 2026
    Serge, May 21, 2026
    #708
    Oddone, catchwtboxing, BoxerMaurits and 1 other person like this.
  4. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    I'm assuming the fight Turki has booked for Usyk in Turkey (if he defeats Rico) is vs Kabayel?
     
    ubareem, May 21, 2026
    ubareem, May 21, 2026
    #709
  5. Cyrion

    Cyrion Member Full Member

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    Kabayel is Kurdish. I thought them and the Turks had some beef? Doesn't really make sense for anyone else though.
     
    Cyrion, May 21, 2026
    Cyrion, May 21, 2026
    #710
  6. ubareem

    ubareem Member Full Member

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    Kurds are 15-20% of the population in Turkey, from what I've read.
     
    ubareem, May 21, 2026
    ubareem, May 21, 2026
    #711
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  7. BoxerMaurits

    BoxerMaurits I’m from Sherdog Full Member

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    Welke site gebruik je? Unibet heeft het volledige gevecht gewoon van website verwijderd, wtf hahah
     
    BoxerMaurits, May 21, 2026
    BoxerMaurits, May 21, 2026
    #712
    heerko koois likes this.
  8. Cyrion

    Cyrion Member Full Member

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    Cyrion, May 21, 2026
    Cyrion, May 21, 2026
    #713
    BoxerMaurits and ubareem like this.
  9. peter_uk

    peter_uk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Call me a braindead unquestioning fanboy, but I would tune in to a PPV of Usyk reading the phonebook. Yes this fight can be considered a circus fight, and yes it is a mismatch in Usyk's favour, but in actual fact it is probably a more competitive fight than Usyk vs Witherspoon, or more notably Usyk vs a cognitively impaired Chisora. Add to that there is a very good possibility that this goes longer than Usyk's demolition of the current WBO champion Dubois, and it is clear the hypocrisy of those who have no issue with the likes of Fury and Joshua taking easy touches, but recoil in outrage when a 39 year old Usyk takes an easy fight for the bank balance.
     
    peter_uk, May 21, 2026
    peter_uk, May 21, 2026
    #714
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  10. Oddone

    Oddone Bermane Stiverne's life coach. Full Member

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    I wouldn't go so far as to dismiss this outright...

    Verhoeven is incredibly serious and deeply dedicated to being elite at what he does. At 6'5", 270 he doesn't rely on his size to win fights, he's technically sound and undefeated for over a decade. An elite level, professional fighter.

    That being said...

    Usyk will spend a few rounds feeling him out and probably stop him.

    Usyk KO6.
     
    Oddone, May 21, 2026
    Oddone, May 21, 2026
    #715
    Kiwi Casual likes this.
  11. Babality

    Babality KTFO!!!!!!! Full Member

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    Rico vs Ngannou was the better fight.
     
    Babality, May 21, 2026
    Babality, May 21, 2026
    #716
    roughdiamond and Kiwi Casual like this.
  12. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Now that would be interesting...
     
    Kiwi Casual, May 21, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, May 21, 2026
    #717
    Babality likes this.
  13. vargasfan1985

    vargasfan1985 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I feel like Rico isn’t gonna be embarrassed and will put up a good fight
     
    vargasfan1985, May 21, 2026
    vargasfan1985, May 21, 2026
    #718
    catchwtboxing likes this.
  14. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Dave Allen has been a good sparring partner to many top heavies but it doesn’t mean he deserves to fight for the title.

    As far as Rico allegedly being more skilled than Wardley, it doesn’t matter. Wardley beat two top 10 heavies in Parker and Huni. If Rico had beaten a Huni or Parker, none of us would question this title shot.
     
    dmt, May 21, 2026
    dmt, May 21, 2026
    #719
    Kiwi Casual and GoodBot like this.
  15. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    I just read someone on here saying that Turkyi wants to make the Kabayel fight for 2027.

    I don't mind this Rico fight for at all for reasons I have explained, but THAT is outrageous. There is no reason Agit can't get a shot late this year.

    And then he wants to make Benevidez. I understand that there are not a lot of viable heavies for a big fight right now, but if Parker is available by then, or Wilder is continuing his streak, I would still rather see either one of them than Benevidez.

    It seems like Turkyi is playing Mephistopheles here, and offering Usyk as series of meaningless or ill-timed fights.
     
    catchwtboxing, May 21, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 21, 2026
    #720
    DaRealJT and GoodBot like this.
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