Rico Verhoeven explains WBC heavyweight title shot credentials

Rico Verhoeven has defended his right to challenge for the WBC heavyweight title, drawing a parallel between his kickboxing achievements and those of Oleksandr Usyk in boxing.

“Like what Oleksandr did within boxing, I did within kickboxing for 12 years. Defeat everybody and some people multiple times. The WBC is also the only organisation that looks at kickboxing and Muay Thai. So for them, they recognised and gave me my credentials.”

— Rico Verhoeven, via BBC Sport

What Rico Verhoeven said

Verhoeven, competing at 123 kg, is moving from kickboxing to professional boxing. The WBC has granted him a title opportunity despite his lack of a professional boxing record, a decision that has drawn scrutiny from established heavyweight contenders.

What it moves

The Dutch fighter's argument rests on the WBC's recognition of combat sports beyond boxing. Whether that satisfies the heavyweight division's ranked fighters remains to be seen. Verhoeven has yet to confirm when he will make his professional debut.

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