Boxing star Usyk competes against kickboxing legend Verhoeven

There had been a lot of speculation about who Usyk would contest this voluntary title defense against. “I have the greatest respect for people who reach the top in their sport. Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and a great champion. He is truly the king of kickboxing,” said the 39-year-old before the duel with Verhoeven. But boxing has its own rules and its own kings, he noted.

Not fought since July 2025

Usyk is currently world champion of the WBC, WBA and IBF associations. He also holds the prestigious belt from boxing magazine “The Ring”. He fought his last professional fight to date in London last July against the Briton Daniel Dubois – and won by knockout in the fifth round.

“Usyk is the undisputed world champion in boxing. It was exactly this kind of challenge that motivated me,” said Verhoeven. “Undisputed world champion against undisputed world champion. The best against the best.”