Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven Preview: Can the King of Kickboxing Shock Boxing’s Heavyweight Champion?

We have witnessed many monumental crossover boxing matches, from Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Conor McGregor to Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou.

However, this upcoming battle in Giza, Egypt, on Saturday holds a lot of significance as Oleksandr Usyk puts his WBC heavyweight title on the line against the ‘King of Kickboxing’, Rico Verhoeven.

Unfamiliar territory for Usyk

The Ukrainian is looking to stay undefeated and continue his unstoppable run as the best heavyweight in the world.

The 39-year-old last competed in July, where he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to retain his undisputed heavyweight championship at Wembley Stadium.

As a matter of fact, this upcoming fight will be the first time Usyk has not faced a Briton since October 2019.

The IBF, WBA and WBC heavyweight champion has taken out the biggest names in British boxing, including Dubois, Fury, Anthony Joshua and Derek Chisora.

This weekend, it will be a different test for Usyk as he matches up against one of kickboxing’s most prestigious fighters.

While boxing fans have questioned the Ukrainian’s decision to face a kickboxer, Usyk explained his reasoning.

He said: “For me, it’s a challenge.

“A lot of people say, ‘why are you not fighting a boxer?’ Please, one time, I want to do what I want, not what is needed. Always I do what is needed. But now I do what I want.”

Verhoeven aiming to produce a huge shock

Unlike his opponent, the Dutchman is not undefeated, but he has not tasted defeat since January 2015 and currently sits on a 22-fight winning streak in his kickboxing career.

Verhoeven last competed nearly a year ago at GLORY 100, where he successfully defended his heavyweight title against Artem Vakhitov in a record-breaking event.

The 37-year-old truly lived up to his nickname as the ‘King of Kickboxing’ when he thrived in an eight-man tournament in September 2024.

The GLORY Kickboxing heavyweight champion defeated Sofian Laïdouni and Nabil Khachab by unanimous decision before stopping Levi Rigters by second-round TKO, all in the same night.

Verhoeven has had just one professional boxing match in his career, which took place in April 2024 and ended in a second-round knockout victory in Germany.

This weekend, Verhoeven plans on giving Usyk a difficult time by using his kickboxing experience to his advantage.

He said: “The puzzle of boxing, Oleksandr solves multiple times, too many times.

“But he hasn’t solved this puzzle yet. I am going to bring different angles, kickboxing angles.”

Biggest upset in history could happen in Egypt

Boxing could witness its biggest shock ever if Verhoeven can conquer the undefeated Ukrainian.

It would certainly leave combat sports fans gobsmacked if the Dutch kickboxer can beat a one-time undisputed cruiserweight champion and a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.

Not to mention that he could dethrone Usyk of the WBC heavyweight title in just his second professional boxing match.

Could the impossible really happen, or is Usyk simply too good in the ring?