It’s been suggested in some quarters that Oleksandr Usyk deserves a handy outing. After all, in recent years, most of his contemporaries have engaged in a sporting spectacle of some description. The odd one has been surprisingly competitive. Most have been circus fare.
Quite how Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven performs on May 23 remains to be seen. If Rico can put up something resembling a fight, he will have done well. This is indeed the bar of measurement for the 37-year-old when he headlines in Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza against a former undisputed cruiserweight and two-time undisputed heavyweight king. The result is effectively already confirmed.
Even versus a 39-year-old veteran pugilist, barring some kind of freak injury or a sandstorm, it’s inconceivable that Verhoeven could find a way to topple such an experienced, professional specimen.
IBF releases statement on Usyk vs. Rico
To add a slight touch of gravitas (if not jeopardy) to the occasion, all three of Usyk’s remaining heavyweight straps will be on the line in North Africa. Joining the WBC and WBA in recognising the fight in all its glory, the IBF have jumped on board to issue their seal of approval.
Releasing an official statement, the organisation, led by Daryl J. Peoples, communicated, “The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned the Usyk vs. Verhoeven bout and indicated that it will enforce its mandatory bout next. Under the rotation system, the World Boxing Association (WBA) mandatory bout would follow the WBC mandatory bout.
“Accordingly, the IBF determined that there are no affected boxers, as the IBF acknowledges the rotation system among the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO. The IBF Board of Directors convened by video conference and determined that Usyk’s exception request should be granted, subject to the following conditions:
“If Usyk loses, the IBF Heavyweight title will be declared vacant immediately. If Usyk wins, the IBF will acknowledge the WBC’s position in the rotation and order the IBF mandatory bout for 180 days thereafter. If the WBA grants a special permit, the IBF will acknowledge the WBA’s position in the rotation and order the IBF mandatory bout for 180 days thereafter.”
Usyk was previously relieved of his IBF duties after defeating Tyson Fury for the second time in Riyadh, 2024. Daniel Dubois proceeded to batter Anthony Joshua for that title just four months later. Usyk reinforced his dominant status in July 2025, taking back the belt by force in a powerful alpha male display. That was the second time Usyk had beaten Dubois. He has also beaten Fury and Joshua twice.
Belts be damned, there is no doubting who the top dog of the heavies is right now. That won’t stop the puppies from scrapping it out below for some attention and affection. On the Usyk undercard, heavyweight contenders Frank Sanchez and Ricardo Torrez Jr will box in an IBF eliminator.
Neither is good enough to beat Usyk, but victory will place the winner in a stronger position as and when the belts become splintered again. The truth is that Usyk has run out of legitimate tests, and none of Sanchez, Torrez or, especially, Rico Verhoeven will be able to provide one.
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