Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven engaged in a stare-down on May 23, following a press conference in London. The confrontation lasted nearly two minutes before being interrupted by promoter Eddie Hearn.
Usyk elaborated on his decision to face Verhoeven, a long-time world champion in kickboxing who has only participated in one professional boxing match. He addressed the common question regarding his choice of opponent.
“Many people ask: why are you fighting someone who is not a boxer? [Verhoeven] is a great guy. He is dangerous,” Usyk stated during the press event.
Usyk expressed a desire to pursue his own path in the sport, stating, “One day I want to do what I want, not what is needed. Many times I did what was needed. Others told me: you have to box this way or that way. I responded: okay, okay. Now I am doing what I need to do.”
The upcoming match is set to take place in Egypt, near the Pyramids of Giza, and will serve as a voluntary defense of Usyk’s heavyweight titles, which include the WBA, WBC, and IBF belts.
The stare-down between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven marks a significant prelude to their championship match scheduled for May 23 in Egypt. Usyk's choice of opponent reflects his desire to pursue personal ambitions within the sport, despite Verhoeven's limited boxing experience.