Usyk warns Verhoeven bout no 'easy money': 'This is a fighter'

Oleksandr Usyk says he is taking a potential Rico Verhoeven fight seriously and will not treat the kickboxing champion as a payday. The unified heavyweight champion shut down suggestions he views the bout lightly.

“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 crossover fight against Verhoeven, the kickboxing heavyweight champion. The Ukrainian has held all four heavyweight titles and recently beat Tyson Fury twice. A Verhoeven bout would take Usyk outside the traditional boxing ruleset and into kickboxing or a hybrid format.

What it moves

Usyk made clear he will prepare fully for Verhoeven despite the novelty of the matchup. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said he is not thinking relaxed and this is easy money, adding this is a fighter. The comments suggest Usyk wants the bout on competitive terms rather than as an exhibition payday.

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