Verhoeven warns Usyk will feel 20-kilo weight gap in crossover bout

Rico Verhoeven says his kickboxing background and natural size will pose problems Oleksandr Usyk has never faced in a boxing ring. The heavyweight champion believes the weight difference will be decisive when he lands.

“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 built his career in kickboxing, where stance and movement patterns differ from traditional boxing. Usyk has operated in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. The crossover bout would pit Usyk's technical mastery against Verhoeven's striking pedigree from another combat sport.

What it moves

Speaking to BBC Sport, Verhoeven said Usyk has pulled the puzzle of boxing out and put it back together, but added he is not a traditional boxer. The Dutchman said his stance and movement are different and that Usyk will feel a natural 20-kilo weight difference when he hits him. The size advantage and style contrast form the basis of Verhoeven's case for the fight.

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