Verhoeven compares kickboxing reign to Usyk's as WBC weighs up title shot

Rico Verhoeven has drawn a parallel between his dominance in kickboxing and Oleksandr Usyk's unified heavyweight run as the WBC considers offering him a boxing title shot.

“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 is a heavyweight kickboxer who has held his division's top spot for over a decade. The WBC has shown interest in his move to boxing, recognising his credentials from another combat sport. He now wants a chance to face Usyk in the boxing ring.

What it moves

The WBC has yet to comment on whether it will sanction a fight between the two men. Verhoeven's case hinges on the organisation's willingness to credit his kickboxing record. Usyk has said nothing about facing a crossover opponent in his next bout.

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