Verhoeven cites WBC kickboxing recognition in Usyk challenge

Rico Verhoeven says his kickboxing dominance mirrors Oleksandr Usyk's boxing reign and justifies the WBC's willingness to grant him a shot at the unified heavyweight champion.

“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, a kickboxing champion fighting at 123 kg, has called for a crossover bout with Usyk. The WBC has previously awarded ceremonial titles to kickboxers and Muay Thai fighters, though no sanctioning body has formally endorsed a kickboxing champion stepping straight into a world heavyweight title fight.

What it moves

Usyk has not responded to the challenge. The WBC could create a special contest outside its normal rankings or decline to sanction the bout altogether. Verhoeven's argument hinges on the governing body valuing his striking pedigree as comparable to a boxing credential.

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