Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his WBC world title against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt. The fight features Verhoeven, a kickboxing world champion, stepping into the boxing ring for only his second professional bout. Verhoeven, aged 37, aims to cause a major upset against the Ukrainian Usyk, 39, who looks to extend his near 17-year winning streak.
The boxing world has offered its predictions on the Usyk versus Verhoeven fight.
UK Fight Time and How to Follow
The fight can be followed on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Live text commentary will be available from 22:00 BST on Saturday, 23 May.
Expert Predictions for Usyk vs Verhoeven
Here’s what some figures in the boxing world are saying:
- One prediction is for “Usyk by stoppage in round six.”
- Another expert believes “Usyk will win by stoppage between rounds four and eight.”
- A third prediction states, “I reckon Usyk stops Verhoeven in rounds six or seven.”
Eddie Hearn gave his take: “I think everyone is right in saying Usyk will win whenever he wants to win. It will probably be somewhere between rounds five and seven.” Hearn added, “I think Usyk will be too fluid for the stiff and big Verhoeven. I’ve got Usyk by knockout in nine.”
Another prediction suggests, “Usyk will win by TKO in rounds five or six.”
One boxing figure stated: “Verhoeven could be a little unpredictable because he’s coming from a different discipline, but I think Usyk will work him out and get the win.”
Another expert said, “I think Usyk will win the fight. It will be late or on points but if I had choose then I’ll probably go with a late stoppage. Verhoeven will be in the fight early on and he will be dangerous as he can hit very hard. But Usyk will do what he does – he will work it out and eventually take him apart and stop him late.”
The Underdog’s Chance and Usyk’s Dominance
One perspective acknowledges Verhoeven’s potential: “I genuinely believe, given Verhoeven’s size and toughness, he could cause any other heavyweight in the division problems. I’m not saying he’d beat them but he could certainly cause them problems. Unfortunately for him, he is fighting one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. I think this goes as long as Usyk wants it to go. I’ll go for a corner stoppage in round five.”
Another prediction is blunt: “I can’t see anything other than an easy win for Usyk – by potentially a mid-to-late stoppage.”
Someone else said: “It’s a crazy, crazy fight. Probably more crazy than Francis Ngannou against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. I think Usyk will just have a bit of fun, being the showman that it is. He could do it early but he wraps it up by the halfway mark.”
Another expert stated: “I know Usyk and I know what level he’s on and I think he’s up for it. [and] put on an amazing show.”
Finally, one prediction concludes: “Verhoeven is going to be a handful but unfortunately for him he’s fighting one of the best to ever do it. So I can’t see anything else other than an Usyk victory.”
The boxing world seems aligned in anticipating an Usyk victory, but the question remains whether Verhoeven can defy the odds.