Verhoeven to receive a world ranking after his strong showing against Usyk.
Much has been said of Rico Verhoeven’s shockingly impressive performance against Oleksandr Usyk on the weekend, and fans have been split on just why the Dutchman had as much success as he did.
Some are in the camp that Usyk just didn’t take the fight seriously, while plenty of others are of the opinion that he has finally started to decline. Others believe it was something else or a combination of several factors.
Whatever the case may be, the unified heavyweight champion appeared incredibly human against a man who has made his bones in the combat world as a kickboxer. And even after getting the win, he didn’t do it without controversy.
The fight drew comparisons with Tyson Fury’s tough time against Francis Ngannou in October of 2023, and just like after that bout, the boxing novice is set to be rewarded for what is a great showing in an officially losing effort.
Mauricio Sulaiman (president of the WBC) that Verhoeven is set to receive a ranking within his organisation after giving such a good account of himself on Saturday.
“I believe the right thing would be Rico is going to get ranked for sure by the WBC,” said Sulaiman, “and he deserves to fight again for the world title. It’s a matter of the ratings committee, but I would say [a] top, top, top [placement in the rankings].
“We took a lot of criticism, and now we will not hear anything said. The result was it.”
It is expected that Usyk will be facing WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel next, then will likely rematch Verhoeven (providing he emerges victorious).
The situation as a whole provides Verhoeven with a chance to face a separate contender before he takes on Usyk again, something many fans have been asking to see.
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