Usyk returns to the ring: all about the fight with kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven
Усик vs. Верхувен / колаж: "Прямий"
After nearly a year-long hiatus, Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk will fight kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven . The Dutchman immediately received a chance to challenge for the WBC heavyweight title.
The fight will take place on May 23 in Egypt near the Giza pyramids and will be the main event of the evening of boxing. The show is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM Kyiv time, the main card begins around 8:00 PM, and Usyk and Verhoeven are expected to enter the ring around midnight.
Nine bouts will take place before the main event. Among the most interesting are the matchup between Ukrainian Daniel Lapin and Frenchman Benjamin Mendez Tani, as well as the clash between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. , the winner of which could become a contender for the IBF title.
In the co-main event of the evening, Hamza Shiraz will face Alem Begic in a fight for the vacant WBO super middleweight title.
The 39-year-old Usyk enters the fight as an undefeated champion with a record of 24-0, with 15 knockouts. The Ukrainian holds three major heavyweight titles and has defeated Anthony Joshua , Tyson Fury , and Daniel Dubois twice in recent years.
Verhoeven, 37, is a longtime Glory champion and one of the most renowned kickboxers of our time. He has only fought once professionally, back in 2014, but decided to switch disciplines after dominating kickboxing and racking up 22 consecutive wins.
Most experts consider Usyk the favorite. Analysts believe the Ukrainian’s experience in professional boxing and the level of opposition he has faced in the past will be key factors in his fight against the Dutchman.
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