Rico Verhoeven entered his fight with Oleksandr Usyk as a heavy underdog. Eddie Hearn believes he left Egypt with something much more valuable: a legitimate case for a rematch. Hearn believes Verhoeven changed the conversation with his actions.
“Listen, I’m not saying people weren’t excited about the fight, but nobody gave Rico a chance,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV.
“Now, especially in Holland, they will think that Rico can win. And maybe he can, but I think Usyk will do a better job next time.”
Verhoeven’s performance surprised much of the boxing world. The longtime kickboxing champion used his size, movement and awkward style to trouble Usyk for long stretches of the fight before being stopped late.
Hearn believes the result changed the entire conversation around a second meeting.
“If I were Usyk, I would immediately reconsider Rico Verhoeven in Holland, wouldn’t I? And I would probably end my career there with a win,” Hearn said.
“But I think the outcome of that fight gives him an excuse to bring it back.”
Before the fight, few people were calling for a rematch. Many saw it as a one-time crossover event. After eleven rounds, Hearn sees it differently.
“Rico has earned a lot of credit and a lot of respect,” Hearn said.
Whether a rematch takes place remains unclear, with Agit Kabayel and other contenders still chasing title opportunities. Hearn’s view is that Verhoeven changed his reputation with one performance. Before the fight, few believed that he could compete with Usyk. After that, a second fight suddenly seems a lot easier to sell.
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Last updated on 2026/05/29 at 02:44
