Verhoeven said the WBC’s recognition of kickboxing and Muay Thai titles helped explain why the sanctioning body approved the bout.
“When they said it would be for the WBC title, I was very excited. To me it makes sense,” Verhoeven told The Ring.
“Only the WBC recognizes kickboxing and also has a Muay Thai belt. So they understand my kickboxing credentials.”
“I understand if you don’t know, it’s easy to say, how does this guy cross the line like that?”
That last point will likely remain the focus. Heavyweight contenders spend years climbing rating systems, taking eliminations and waiting for mandatory positions. Verhoeven, on the other hand, moves directly into a championship fight with a 1-0 boxing record due to achievements in another combat sport.
The WBC has often defended crossover flexibility as a way to create big events, but critics argue the approach weakens the purpose of rankings when exceptions are made for marketable attractions.
Verhoeven is an accomplished kickboxing champion and a proven draw, but boxing titles are traditionally tied to boxing results. That distinction is why this decision continues to draw heat.
Usyk remains a heavy favorite heading into the fight, and if he wins, the controversy could disappear quickly. If Verhoeven were to pull off the upset, the debate over how he achieved the position would only intensify.
The fight is scheduled for May 23 at the Pyramids in Egypt.
