WBC Makes Major U-Turn on Usyk's World Title Defence
In a dramatic reversal, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has ruled that Oleksandr Usyk's heavyweight world title will be on the line when he faces kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven. The highly anticipated bout is scheduled for May 23 in Egypt, marking a significant shift in the sanctioning body's initial stance.
Rapid Decision Reversal
Just 24 hours after informing Usyk that his WBC belt would not be at stake for the fight, the committee performed a complete about-face. This allows the Ukrainian champion, who currently holds three of the four major world titles, to make a voluntary defence against the Dutch kickboxer before being compelled to face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel.
The WBC Board of Governors issued a statement explaining their decision: "After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defence against legendary kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven."
Unprecedented Activity Recognised
The sanctioning body specifically cited Usyk's remarkable activity level as a key factor in their approval. "Champion Usyk’s has showcased incredible activity in recent years, facing and defeating champions in his division like Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice," the statement continued. "He did all of that while maintaining his undefeated record. In reaching its approval decision, the WBC Board of Governors considered champion Usyk’s activity, which is unprecedented, especially in the heavyweight division."
Verhoeven's Impressive Credentials
The WBC also acknowledged Verhoeven's exceptional kickboxing career, which made him a worthy opponent despite his limited boxing experience. "Rico has been competing professionally at an elite kickboxing level since 2005. Over the course of two decades while maintaining that very highest level of competition, he has established himself as arguably one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxing champions of all time," the statement noted.
Verhoeven's professional journey includes:
- Headlining and selling out major stadium arenas worldwide with 30,000-40,000 spectators
- Competing in 76 professional kickboxing fights by age 36
- Recently vacating the Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight title after going undefeated for 11 years
Historical Precedent and Setting
The WBC pointed to historical examples of successful transitions from combat sports to boxing, stating: "The transition from kickboxing to boxing is not unprecedented. Many Muay Thai athletes have successfully crossed over into professional boxing and competed for WBC titles early in their boxing careers."
The Egyptian setting adds further significance to the event. "The pyramids of Egypt will give this event a historic importance and surroundings. That has been the dream of many, including our beloved WBC President Jose Sulaiman," the statement concluded.
This fight represents only Verhoeven's second appearance in a professional boxing ring, making the WBC's sanctioning decision particularly noteworthy. The bout promises to be a unique crossover event that blends elite boxing with kickboxing pedigree in one of the world's most historic locations.
