Rico Verhoeven hopes the element of surprise can inspire the unlikeliest of victories over Oleksandr Usyk and seal one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
The Dutch kickboxer, who has won his only professional boxing match, takes on the unbeaten two‑weight, three‑time undisputed world champion Usyk in an unprecedented world‑title bout.
Verhoeven’s chances of defeating heavyweight supremo Usyk have been widely dismissed, but the 36‑year‑old has vowed to show the world how much he has learned since transitioning to boxing.
“I was 36 when I started transitioning into boxing,” he said at his pre‑fight press conference. “It was about being open‑minded and testing myself.
“The curiosity of whether I can still do this at my age, how I could emerge in the sport of boxing, and whether it is still possible.
“I think we did quite a good job. I’ll showcase that to the world on Saturday.”
‘A whole different approach’
Verhoeven believes he can bring something to the ring that Usyk has never experienced in his 24‑fight career.
“It will be a whole different approach,” he added.
“I’m bringing something he hasn’t seen before because he’s only faced boxers who have been boxing their whole life. I haven’t.”
With two of Usyk’s three world titles – the WBC and WBA belts – on the line in Egypt, Verhoeven could, unthinkably, become a unified world champion just two fights into his boxing career.
Beating Usyk ‘the ultimate’
“The first objective is to win,” he said. “How we’re going to win, we’ll see. If it’s a knockout, it’s a knockout. If it’s a decision, it’s a decision.
“If I get the win, then I’ll have faced the best pound‑for‑pound fighter in the world and beaten him in 12 rounds where he tried everything and couldn’t beat me. That would be the ultimate.”
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Watch Rico Verhoeven and Oleksandr Usyk share a final face-off ahead of their heavyweight blockbuster clash.
Usyk, meanwhile, has vowed to do his talking in the ring, insisting he will secure victory whenever the opportunity arises.
“My language will be in the ring,” the Ukrainian said ahead of his first fight since his knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley last July.
“Maybe it [a Verhoeven win] is possible, maybe it’s not. We’ll see. It’s God’s will.
“I have no idea how many rounds this fight will be. When I have a chance [to end it], I will do it.”
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British kickboxing champion Jonathan Haggerty breaks down how Rico Verhoeven can disrupt Oleksandr Usyk.
Promoter Eddie Hearn acknowledged the odds were stacked against Verhoeven.
“On paper, the fight is an impossible mountain to climb for a normal man,” he said. “But the reason Verhoeven has accomplished what he has is because he’s not a normal man.
“This giant of a man has an opportunity to, let’s be honest, forge one of the great upsets in the history of boxing.
“It’s a mountain to climb, but he’s a mountain – a man‑mountain. He’s full of heart and power, and I know how badly he wants it. May the best man win.”
‘Egypt’s greatest sporting event’
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Verhoven shows off his speed ahead of his title fight against Usyk. Pictures from @ricoverhoeven.
The Pyramids of Giza will provide a stunning backdrop to what Hearn described as one of the biggest sporting moments Egypt has ever seen.
“This is one of the biggest sporting moments Egypt has ever seen,” Hearn added.
“On Saturday night, the world heavyweight championship will be contested at the foot of the pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the world.
“If there was ever anything dramatic or strange to happen, it’s going to happen at the foot of the pyramids in Egypt.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
