Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven | DAZN - 23 May 2026

[keithmoonhangover]

Technically he's an undefeated Boxer. This is going to be his 2nd Pro Boxing match.

He's been reigning as Heavyweight Champion of the Kickboxing World from 2013 to November 2025. He didn't lose his title, he vacated it because he wanted a big money fight, and he couldn't get it in Kickboxing.

This is the biggest money he's ever fought for, the biggest opportunity he's ever got. He'll fight tooth and nail to make it count.

Punching is a big part of his game. It's called KickBOXING. Boxing is at least half of what he does, and he's had 80 Pro fights. He's not an amateur fighter by any means.

Kickboxers tend to be heavy body punchers, and they focus more on power punching rather than jabbing and point scoring because the distance of Kickboxing matches is shorter than Boxing matches. He'll have to adjust to the pace of a Boxing match mainly.

I'm not just speaking generally about him either. I've seen him fight a lot. He punches well, accurately, and has a wide variety of punches in his arsenal.

Is it a 12 rounder or a 10 rounder?

I'll ask you a question. Why doesn't a decathlete win the 100m at the Olympics?

This isn't the Olympics. The bell rings, and it's 2 men fighting. These are 2 men who are both experienced professional fighters. 2 guys that have made their living fighting at the highest level for a good many a year.

You were saying the same thing about Francis Ngannou weren't you? He didn't have a chance, and Tyson Fury was gonna clown him. I know I was saying that. We were wrong though.

Well Rico Verhoeven would beat the sh*t out of Francis Ngannou.

Why doesn't a decathlete win the 100m at the Olympics?

[joshj909]

Technically he's an undefeated Boxer. This is going to be his 2nd Pro Boxing match.

He's been reigning as Heavyweight Champion of the Kickboxing World from 2013 to November 2025. He didn't lose his title, he vacated it because he wanted a big money fight, and he couldn't get it in Kickboxing.

This is the biggest money he's ever fought for, the biggest opportunity he's ever got. He'll fight tooth and nail to make it count.

Punching is a big part of his game. It's called KickBOXING. Boxing is at least half of what he does, and he's had 80 Pro fights. He's not an amateur fighter by any means.

Kickboxers tend to be heavy body punchers, and they focus more on power punching rather than jabbing and point scoring because the distance of Kickboxing matches is shorter than Boxing matches. He'll have to adjust to the pace of a Boxing match mainly.

I'm not just speaking generally about him either. I've seen him fight a lot. He punches well, accurately, and has a wide variety of punches in his arsenal.

Is it a 12 rounder or a 10 rounder?

I'll ask you a question. Why doesn't a decathlete win the 100m at the Olympics?

This isn't the Olympics. The bell rings, and it's 2 men fighting. These are 2 men who are both experienced professional fighters. 2 guys that have made their living fighting at the highest level for a good many a year.

You were saying the same thing about Francis Ngannou weren't you? He didn't have a chance, and Tyson Fury was gonna clown him. I know I was saying that. We were wrong though.

Well Rico Verhoeven would beat the sh*t out of Francis Ngannou.

Would Verhoeven beat the shit out of Ngannou better than Joshua did?

[gilgamesh]

I doubt it. He's not a big one punch hitter.

He is going to give Usyk a hell of a fight though, and nobody will give Usyk credit for getting a hard fought win over a tough opponent. They'll all say "Man he's getting old. He struggled awful bad with that Kickboxer. He wouldn't have struggled that badly with him a few years ago"

Yes he would've, and yes he is going to in May. Mark my words.

[gilgamesh]

So what specifically do you guys think is going to happen here anyway? Like what official result do you expect?

[Old bones Ian]

So what specifically do you guys think is going to happen here anyway? Like what official result do you expect?

Probably stoppage in 6-7 rounds for Usyk , as neither is a big puncher and Verhoeven will run out of steam.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Indeed, kickboxers have had a lot of success in heavyweight boxing. Vitali Klitschko. Dillian Whyte. Big Baby Miller. Alexander Povetkin. This isn’t a wrestler boxing Usyk. It’s a man who has knockout power and stands up when fighting

[joshj909]

Indeed, kickboxers have had a lot of success in heavyweight boxing. Vitali Klitschko. Dillian Whyte. Big Baby Miller. Alexander Povetkin. This isn’t a wrestler boxing Usyk. It’s a man who has knockout power and stands up when fighting

Those guys didn't go from kickboxing to facing the best in the world. They all kickboxed in their younger years and then transitioned to boxing including with an amateur boxing record and starting from the pros the way every other pro does. Copp is just a mouthpiece for Turki now.

[gilgamesh]

So what specifically do you guys think is going to happen here anyway? Like what official result do you expect?

Probably stoppage in 6-7 rounds for Usyk , as neither is a big puncher and Verhoeven will run out of steam.

I could see a stoppage in the Championship rounds of 10 thru 12, but not any sooner most likely. Not unless they just get into a shootout which I don't see Usyk doing. Not willingly anyhow.

But the main thing I'd expect is a Unanimous Decision for Usyk. Scores anywhere from 115-113 to 117-111.

[Old bones Ian]

So what specifically do you guys think is going to happen here anyway? Like what official result do you expect?

Probably stoppage in 6-7 rounds for Usyk , as neither is a big puncher and Verhoeven will run out of steam.

I could see a stoppage in the Championship rounds of 10 thru 12, but not any sooner most likely. Not unless they just get into a shootout which I don't see Usyk doing. Not willingly anyhow.

But the main thing I'd expect is a Unanimous Decision for Usyk. Scores anywhere from 115-113 to 117-111.

The head movement of Usyk will mean Verhoeven missing with his punches more than he's used to and I think Verhoeven will take more head punches , I can see that adding into him getting stopped

[gilgamesh]

Probably stoppage in 6-7 rounds for Usyk , as neither is a big puncher and Verhoeven will run out of steam.

I could see a stoppage in the Championship rounds of 10 thru 12, but not any sooner most likely. Not unless they just get into a shootout which I don't see Usyk doing. Not willingly anyhow.

But the main thing I'd expect is a Unanimous Decision for Usyk. Scores anywhere from 115-113 to 117-111.

The head movement of Usyk will mean Verhoeven missing with his punches more than he's used to and I think Verhoeven will take more head punches , I can see that adding into him getting stopped

I suspect Verhoeven's attack is going to be very body heavy in the opening few rounds. Trying to push Usyk to the ropes with his jab, and work his body when he gets him there is my guess.

He's gonna need to do that because I suspect Usyk will have quite an edge on him when it comes to movement, and stamina so Verhoeven is gonna have to do something to make up the difference. Usyk isn't much of a body puncher. That could be his edge.

It's the only strategy he could have in my mind that makes any sense, but he's strong enough and experienced enough at doing just that very thing to make it work.

[handsofstone]

Don't care if he's beat everyone, there's no excuse for this, I criticized Fury when he fought Ngannou and Usyk deserves grief for this as well

[Perkin Warbeck]

Not an interesting fight.

Thankfully, there are some good heavyweight matchups coming up, such as Dubois-Wardley and Chisora-Wilder.

[gregregegg]

Don't care if he's beat everyone, there's no excuse for this, I criticized Fury when he fought Ngannou and Usyk deserves grief for this as well

Fury hadn’t fought Usyk or aJ yet.. was prime claiming to be king but clearly not established as king.

Usyk deserves some stick for this, sure but it’s not the same levle I think. This is a 38 year old who has already established himself as king, coming off an incredible run of opponents and some inactivity having a soft touch.

[handsofstone]

Don't care if he's beat everyone, there's no excuse for this, I criticized Fury when he fought Ngannou and Usyk deserves grief for this as well

Fury hadn’t fought Usyk or aJ yet.. was prime claiming to be king but clearly not established as king.

Usyk deserves some stick for this, sure but it’s not the same levle I think. This is a 38 year old who has already established himself as king, coming off an incredible run of opponents and some inactivity having a soft touch.

I get what you mean but this is beyond soft, same ballpark as the Ngannou fight

[Taansend]

I hope Rico kicks him in the bollocks

[coneye]

Few years ago , i had a influx of kickboxers coming to my gym to try and better there hands, i welcomed them with open arms has they were all tough and liked hard sparring , but at the time i already had 3 national title ameteurs and numerous state title ameteurs , the kick boxers were couple national champs and couple state champs at there field , obviously not with me with a proper kickboxing coach .

. However dispite each of them getting better and each of them finding the hands improvement beneficial , they were stil that level below , the kick boxer national champ just could'nt cut in at national boxig level and was more state the state kickboxing champ could'nt win the state boxing titles , .

Maybee given they were at the time to just choose boxing only i suppose a few could of jumpd levels , but thing is has boxers they were using 2 weapns kickboxing with elboes and knees it was 8 . Whilst Peter FURY SAYS HE'S WORKED WITH HIM ON HANDS FOR 15 YEARS OR SO , I DOUBT VERY MUCH HE'S BEEN AT uSYKS LEVEL , SPARRING hughe and maybee above HUGHIES LEVEL WOULD'NT SUPRISE ME ,

Me thinks this is more about a sellable fight for Usyk without much chance of a loss , and a stuff you Mr Warren , when your fighters can't get a crack at the title , were gonna sign them too

[Old bones Ian]

Few years ago , i had a influx of kickboxers coming to my gym to try and better there hands, i welcomed them with open arms has they were all tough and liked hard sparring , but at the time i already had 3 national title ameteurs and numerous state title ameteurs , the kick boxers were couple national champs and couple state champs at there field , obviously not with me with a proper kickboxing coach .

. However dispite each of them getting better and each of them finding the hands improvement beneficial , they were stil that level below , the kick boxer national champ just could'nt cut in at national boxig level and was more state the state kickboxing champ could'nt win the state boxing titles , .

Maybee given they were at the time to just choose boxing only i suppose a few could of jumpd levels , but thing is has boxers they were using 2 weapns kickboxing with elboes and knees it was 8 . Whilst Peter FURY SAYS HE'S WORKED WITH HIM ON HANDS FOR 15 YEARS OR SO , I DOUBT VERY MUCH HE'S BEEN AT uSYKS LEVEL , SPARRING hughe and maybee above HUGHIES LEVEL WOULD'NT SUPRISE ME ,

Me thinks this is more about a sellable fight for Usyk without much chance of a loss , and a stuff you Mr Warren , when your fighters can't get a crack at the title , were gonna sign them too

Interesting, do you think it's that kick boxing doesn't have the depth of talent boxing does?
For me seeing a kick boxer move to boxing the footwork seems a struggle , squaring up leading to lack of punching power and head held high seem to be issues.

[MasterG]

It's unbelievable that people are getting title shots without being a contender. How is this all happening? Governing bodies are allowing it, it's crazy

[joshj909]

It's unbelievable that people are getting title shots without being a contender. How is this all happening? Governing bodies are allowing it, it's crazy

It's the WBC every time right? Pacquiao out of retirement, Ngannou's debut, Ryan Garcia's after his ban and now Verhoeven were/are all for the WBC title

[MightyWarrior]

I’ve never heard of him, but if he was good enough to be a boxer, wouldn’t he have made much more money doing that than in any of the other combat sports? Or maybe that’s not the case any more ?

Anyway nothing new, as novelty heavyweight title fights go right back to Floyd Patterson and Jack Johnson.

[joshj909]

I’ve never heard of him, but if he was good enough to be a boxer, wouldn’t he have made much more money doing that than in any of the other combat sports? Or maybe that’s not the case any more ?

Anyway nothing new, as novelty heavyweight title fights go right back to Floyd Patterson and Jack Johnson.

Boxers often make atleast 10x more than kickboxers at their comparable level. Verhoeven was probably paid close to 500k for a couple of his biggest fights whereas against others in recent years would've been 100-200k maybe. Prior to that he would have been on about 10k or less per fight.

If he was good enough, he would have moved over earlier.

[Nightmare Roy]

Disappointing, but i guess he's seen the likes of AJ and Fury earn silly money for novelty fights and thinks why shouldn't i.

[mickey1975]

I’ve never heard of him, but if he was good enough to be a boxer, wouldn’t he have made much more money doing that than in any of the other combat sports? Or maybe that’s not the case any more ?

Anyway nothing new, as novelty heavyweight title fights go right back to Floyd Patterson and Jack Johnson.

In Holland kickboxing is by far the more popular sport.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

It's unbelievable that people are getting title shots without being a contender. How is this all happening? Governing bodies are allowing it, it's crazy

It's the WBC every time right? Pacquiao out of retirement, Ngannou's debut, Ryan Garcia's after his ban and now Verhoeven were/are all for the WBC title

I don’t think it on the line for Ngannou