Verhoeven says WBC gave him Usyk shot for kickboxing reign

Rico Verhoeven has defended his WBC title shot against Oleksandr Usyk by pointing to his kickboxing record. The heavyweight said his credentials in that sport earned the sanctioning body's recognition.

“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 stepping into boxing's heavyweight division after holding kickboxing titles. The WBC awarded him a fight with Usyk, drawing criticism from boxing observers who questioned the crossover route. Verhoeven competes at 123 kg.

What it moves

The WBC's decision to sanction the bout gives Verhoeven a path without climbing the traditional rankings. Usyk has not confirmed the fight. Verhoeven's claim that the WBC values his kickboxing work suggests the sanctioning body sees crossover appeal in the matchup.

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