Verhoeven banks on kickboxing style and size for Usyk clash

Rico Verhoeven believes his kickboxing background and natural weight advantage will trouble Oleksandr Usyk when the pair meet. The heavyweight says his movement and stance differ from traditional boxers Usyk has faced.

“Usyk has pulled the puzzle of boxing out and put it back together, but I'm not a traditional boxer - I'm a kickboxer. My stance is different, my movement is different and I am a naturally big, athletic guy. When I hit him, he's going to feel a natural 20-kilo weight difference.”

— Rico Verhoeven, via BBC Sport

What Rico Verhoeven said

Verhoeven competes at 123 kg and has spent his career in kickboxing rather than pure boxing. Usyk has moved up through the weight classes and won at heavyweight despite carrying less natural size than most opponents in the division.

What it moves

Verhoeven's comments suggest he plans to exploit physical differences rather than match Usyk's technical approach. The strategy hinges on whether a kickboxer's movement translates under boxing rules and whether the weight gap plays out as he expects.

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