Most of boxing’s biggest names are tipping heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk to comfortably handle kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven this weekend – but one top heavyweight believes the Dutch giant will shock the world.
The blockbuster showdown, set to take place at the world-famous Pyramids of Giza, will see Usyk take on longtime kickboxing champion Verhoeven under boxing rules in one of the most unique crossover fights ever staged.
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Verhoeven will be conceding almost every single boxing attribute to the Ukrainian master, but he is hoping that his physical advantages can bring him success.
The towering Dutchman is a huge underdog in the fight, and he will be sharing a ring with arguably boxing’s best fighter who has made light work of the heavyweight division in recent years.
Holding victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois, Usyk will be extremely confident he can make another successful defence of his heavyweight crown.
Despite the gulf in experience, Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller is backing Verhoeven to produce one of combat sports’ greatest upsets.
“Rico is very game. He is not no punk,” Miller told Matchroom.
“I came up on the kickboxing scene with Rico Verhoeven. You know Glory and K-1 phenomenal fighter in his respectable sport.
“If you want to go with statistics, yes the fight favours Usyk, yes Usyk is Usyk supposed to win, and all that.
“Yes, we can say that but I’m going with my boy, I’m going with my boy Rico, man.”
The rest of the boxing world seems to be siding with Usyk – and it’s not hard to see why.
Undefeated across a glittering professional career, the Ukrainian superstar and former Olympic gold medallist has repeatedly silenced doubters while establishing himself as the sport’s pound-for-pound king.
Australian kickboxing greats turned national boxing champions John Wayne Parr and Ben Edwards also struggle to see Verhoeven pulling off the upset.
Edwards, who shared the ring with Verhoeven in 2012, told Fox Sports Australia: “I’m sure he will have his moments as he doesn’t have a boxer’s rhythm and will be a little awkward at times for Usyk, but it should be a clear victory for Usyk.”
Former world champion Tyson Fury doesn’t think Verhoeven will shock the world this weekend.
“[Verhoeven’s] a big man, isn’t he? Big right hand,” Fury told talkSPORT
“I’m sure Usyk’s faced plenty of right-handed people who can knock people out, i.e. Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois.
“He’s fought a lot of big men with a similar style to Rico but, listen, [Verhoeven’s] a big man, he’s got a chance, he’s got power.
“Who knows what he can do in there? Usyk’s, what is he, 39 years old now?
“But the thing with him is he’s only had 24 [professional] fights – he doesn’t have a lot of mileage on the clock.
“And he turned pro in late 2013, so I think he’s going to be alright.”
British kickboxing legend Liam Harrison joked Verhoeven may need to abandon boxing rules altogether to get his hand raised.
“I think Rico’s going to have to boot him in the leg if he wants to get any sort of advantage over him!” he told Sky Sports.
“No one can beat Usyk in a boxing fight, I don’t care who you are.
“He’s the best heavyweight on this planet and he’s the best heavyweight of this era.
“If guys like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua can’t put a dent in him, no one’s going to be able to put a dent in him I’m afraid.”
Former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. is also siding with Usyk – although he warned the champion not to underestimate Verhoeven.
“Usyk should win,” Ruiz Jr. told casino.org.
“He’s an experienced fighter. He’s the champion. He’s the undisputed heavyweight champion.
“But I heard a lot of people saying for him to be careful against Verhoeven. He’s no joke.
“I’ve seen a few little videos of him hitting the bag and some fights, but I think Usyk beats him, especially if he’s not using his legs.”
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The action gets underway on Sunday morning (AEDT), with fans across the globe set to tune in for the historic card.
Australian rising star Mai Soliman will also feature as she challenges for world title honours against Japanese champion Mizuki Hiruta.
Parts of this story first appeared on DAZN News.