Rico Verhoeven has called for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk. But does the kickboxing superstar merit a second shot at boxing’s heavyweight champion?
Verhoeven is a legend in boxing, a long-reigning Glory heavyweight titlist. But he is new to boxing and last month, in only his second pro bout, he took on Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist and unbeaten and previously undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
But in a temporary arena built in the shadow of the pyramids in Egypt, Verhoeven performed shockingly well when he extended Usyk, only losing after a contentious stoppage at the end of the 11th round.
Verhoeven has called for an immediate rematch.
“This has never been about taking anything away from Oleksandr. He’s one of the greatest fighters of this generation and I have nothing but respect for what he’s achieved. What stays with me is the feeling that, after 11 unforgettable rounds on one of the biggest and most epic stages in the world, the story simply stopped before it reached its ending,” Verhoeven stated.
“Oleksandr had a strong moment. He caught me well and you could feel the tension in the fight shift. That’s what happens at this level. Momentum can change in an instant. Throughout my career, there have been moments where people thought it was over. In multiple world title fights, I’ve found ways to turn things around and leave with my hand raised.”
Verhoeven lost but surprised with how well he performed against Usyk in Egypt.
He added: “I truly believe everyone deserved the chance to see how this fight was meant to end.
“The fans were denied a 12th round. After everything we’d both put into that fight, they deserved to see how it ended. I never got the chance to find out if this would have been one of those nights I had before.
“And Oleksandr was denied the opportunity to finish it in a way that nobody could question.
“So for me, the conclusion is actually very simple. Let’s finish the story and give the fans that immediate rematch.”
There is though no guarantee Verhoeven can replicate that magic. Hamzah Sheeraz, who won the WBO super-middleweight title on the Usyk-Verhoeven undercard, warned: “I believe a rematch does Rico no favours apart from his bank balance. Usyk’s the king of beating them twice.”
Usyk has defeated the modern heavyweight elite twice over. He holds two victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, generally delivering an improved performance in a second fight against the same opponent.
“If they have a rematch, all that stuff is downloaded,” trainer and boxing expert Gary Logan noted.
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Andy Scott is joined by Hamzah Sheeraz and Tony Sims as they discuss Oleksandr Usyk’s much-talked-about stoppage victory over Rico Verhoeven.
Usyk also has other obligations. If he is to retain his WBC title, one of the belts he still holds along with the IBF and WBA championships, he must fight Agit Kabayel next.
Logan also believes Verhoeven should take other fights. “If you really want to legit yourself as a heavyweight, go and fight some of the other leading heavyweights and let Usyk, if he’s going to continue, do the honour of giving a very, very patient Kabayel his opportunity,” he said.
Usyk is 39 years old. Most boxers have retired by the time they reach that age. Logan does believe the Ukrainian should consider retirement himself.
“Get out. He’s got nothing more to prove. He’s done everything,” he told the Toe2Toe podcast. “His legacy has not been tainted [by the performance against Verhoeven]. It’s done no damage to his legacy.
“Nothing’s coming back, Rico’s legs are sagging. One more shot, he’s sleeping.”
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Watch old enemies become friends and share laughs as Oleksandr Usyk helps train Anthony Joshua. (Video courtesy of Oleksandr Usyk – Instagram @usykaa featuring @anthonyjoshua)
Chasing greatness
Usyk has assured himself a place in heavyweight history already. He also has a sense of legacy and occasion. He walked to the ring for the Verhoeven fight in Giza styled after Alexander the Great.
“A walkout look must have soul, history and meaning. Alexander the Great was an outstanding military leader, the creator of an empire, a winner. And today we need only victory. Not only in boxing, but for all Ukrainians. For me, this look is a symbol of that victory. My team and I wanted this walkout to have depth: symbols, historical references, as well as respect for the place and for the event itself. Because sport is also art,” Usyk said.
Usyk walks out to fight Rico Verhoeven in a costume inspired by Alexander the Great. (Photo: Ready To Fight)
Proud to represent Ukraine on the world stage, Usyk’s support for his homeland in its struggle against Russia’s invasion is well known.
He weaved a hidden statement into his fight night costume. A combination of Trypillian symbols contained encrypted messages to the world, including: “A destroyed home will not destroy our connection and unity – we protect our Motherland.”
Sergey Lapin, a childhood friend of Usyk’s who now runs his Ready To Fight promotional company, told Sky Sports: “It’s impossible to predict that a 15-year-old kid walking into the gym will become a world champion.
“The only person who truly believed in that from the very beginning was my father, Serhii Lapin Sr, who was Oleksandr’s first coach. For many years, he kept saying that Usyk is not just a talented boxer, but a future legend of the sport.
“And that’s exactly what happened. Everything he said came true, and I’ve seen it with my own eyes over the past 20 years.
“What sets Oleksandr apart is his mindset, his discipline, his intelligence and his ability to stay fully committed to the process over many years.”
