Rico Verhoeven confident kickboxing style will trouble Usyk

Rico Verhoeven believes his kickboxing background gives him a natural advantage over Oleksandr Usyk. The heavyweight says his movement and power differ from traditional boxers Usyk has faced.

“Usyk has pulled the puzzle of boxing out and put it back together, but I'm not a traditional boxer - I'm a kickboxer. My stance is different, my movement is different and I am a naturally big, athletic guy. When I hit him, he's going to feel a natural 20-kilo weight difference.”

— Rico Verhoeven, via BBC Sport

What Rico Verhoeven said

Verhoeven competes at 123 kg and crosses over from kickboxing. Usyk operates in the heavyweight boxing division. The Dutchman says his stance and athleticism set him apart from opponents Usyk has solved in the ring.

What it moves

Verhoeven is pushing the size and style contrast as his route to success. Whether Usyk accepts a crossover bout remains unclear. The weight gap and rule-set would need agreement before any matchup takes shape.

Source: bbc.com. Full Rico Verhoeven fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.