Rico Verhoeven says WBC credentials mirror Usyk dominance

Rico Verhoeven has defended his WBC heavyweight title shot by comparing his kickboxing record to Oleksandr Usyk's boxing reign. The Dutchman said his 12-year run earned him sanctioning recognition.

“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 holds multiple kickboxing world titles at heavyweight and is moving into professional boxing. The WBC has granted him a pathway that bypasses the traditional ranking system, a decision that has drawn criticism from established boxers in the division. Verhoeven competes at 123 kg.

What it moves

The comparison to Usyk positions Verhoeven's kickboxing achievements as equivalent to top-tier boxing credentials. His reference to the WBC's crossover recognition suggests the sanctioning body views combat sports experience broadly when considering title contenders. Whether that logic satisfies boxers waiting in the rankings remains an open question.

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