Usyk warns against treating Verhoeven bout as easy payday

Oleksandr Usyk says he is taking Rico Verhoeven seriously ahead of their proposed crossover fight. The undisputed heavyweight champion dismissed suggestions he views the Dutch kickboxer as an easy opponent.

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

— Oleksandr Usyk, via BBC Sport

What Oleksandr Usyk said

Usyk has been linked with a move into kickboxing to face Verhoeven, the long-reigning Glory champion. The Ukrainian holds all four major heavyweight belts and has been exploring options outside traditional boxing since his second win over Tyson Fury.

What it moves

Usyk's comments suggest he is treating the potential Verhoeven clash as a legitimate challenge rather than a cash grab. The fight would mark a rare crossover between elite boxing and kickboxing worlds, with rules and weight still to be determined.

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