Usyk vows not to take Verhoeven lightly: 'This is a fighter'

Oleksandr Usyk has dismissed any notion he is treating his heavyweight clash with Rico Verhoeven as easy money, insisting he is taking the kickboxing champion seriously as a threat.

“I'm not [thinking] relaxed and this is easy money. This is a fighter”

— Oleksandr Usyk, via BBC Sport

What Oleksandr Usyk said

Usyk faces Verhoeven in a boxing match that pairs the former undisputed heavyweight king against a decorated kickboxer making the crossover. The Ukrainian has never fought a kickboxer in a professional boxing ring, and Verhoeven's striking pedigree means Usyk cannot afford to sleepwalk into the bout despite his superior boxing credentials.

What it moves

The comments suggest Usyk is wary of the unknown variables Verhoeven brings from kickboxing. His camp will prepare for unorthodox angles and power, even if Verhoeven lacks pure boxing experience. The fight gives Usyk a payday while he waits for the heavyweight division to clarify its title picture.

Source: bbc.com. Full Oleksandr Usyk fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.