Verhoeven says weight advantage will tell against Usyk

Rico Verhoeven believes his kickboxing background and size will trouble Oleksandr Usyk when the two meet. The Dutch heavyweight told BBC Sport that Usyk will feel the natural weight gap between them.

“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 moves up from kickboxing. Usyk campaigns in the heavyweight division and previously unified all four belts at cruiserweight. The fight pits a traditional boxer against a striker with a different stance and movement pattern.

What it moves

Verhoeven's claim sets up a style clash between Usyk's technical skill and the kickboxer's physical advantages. Usyk has not responded to the challenge. The bout has not been formally announced by any promoter.

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