This is an example of a no-win situation for champion Usyk. Because Rico Verhoeven is a boxing novice with only one pro fight from 2014, the public will not give Oleksandr Usyk credit for a standard win.
If Usyk boxes a perfect, disciplined fight and wins a wide decision, the critics will just say he played it safe against a “kickboxer.”
Verhoeven plays with house money. If he lands one shot that staggers Usyk, or even just stays up for twelve rounds, his supply explodes. He becomes the man who stood toe-to-toe with the pound-for-pound king.
For Usyk, the risks are purely reputational. At 39, any lapses in footwork or timing will be blamed on the cliff that veteran fighters eventually fall off.
With young killers like Moses Itauma and Agit Kabayel waiting for their shot, a lackluster performance against Rico Usyk makes it look like he’s just paying off.
Putting the WBC belt on the line adds a layer of scrutiny that most crossovers avoid. It stops being an exhibition and starts being a heritage defense.
Putting the WBC belt on the line certainly makes it look worse. It changes the entire context from a “fun in the sun” exhibition at the Pyramids to a sanctioned defense of the most prestigious title in the sport.
When Tyson Fury fought Francis Ngannou, the WBC kept the title out of it to avoid exactly this kind of backlash. By endorsing this, they are essentially saying that a 1-0 kickboxer is a legitimate world title challenger.
When the WBC Board of Governors deemed it a voluntary defense, they cited Usyk’s unprecedented activity, beating Fury, Joshua and Dubois twice each, as justification. But for the average fan, it feels like a slap in the face to the real contenders.
By making it a title fight, Usyk removed his safety net. If he wins, people will say he held the WBC belt hostage for a payday. But if he struggles, the heavyweight championship has been devalued by a rookie who shouldn’t have been in the ring with him.
Usyk has earned the right to do what he wants, as he put it, but the boxing world is rarely so forgiving. He must be more than just good in Egypt; he must be flawless to silence the critics.
