Boxing Figures Back Usyk to Beat Verhoeven in 2nd Boxing Fight
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 23
Boxing Figures Back Usyk to Beat Verhoeven in 2nd Boxing Fight
10 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 23
Saturday’s WBC title fight in Egypt has drawn near-unanimous predictions for Oleksandr Usyk, with former champions, trainers and promoters largely expecting a stoppage win.
Most forecasts cluster between rounds 4 and 8, with Tony Bellew, Malik Scott, Darren Barker, Alistair Overeem and others saying Usyk’s skill and adaptability should quickly overwhelm Rico Verhoeven.
Verhoeven, 37, enters as kickboxing’s world champion but is taking the shot in only his second boxing bout and his first since 2014, making the matchup highly unusual despite his size and power.
Usyk, 39, is defending his WBC belt while trying to extend a nearly 17-year winning streak, with the bout at the pyramids of Giza framed as either a historic upset chance or another display of his dominance.
Can a kickboxing legend truly dethrone boxing's king in a historic showdown at the pyramids?
Why is a kickboxer with only one pro fight challenging for boxing's biggest prize?