Image source, Getty Images. ByKal Sajad. BBC Sport boxing journalist at The Pelligon, London. 14 April 2026. 192 Comments. Unified world champion Oleksandr Usyk said he should be allowed to “do what I want to do” as the heavyweight great defended his decision to face boxing novice Rico Verhoeven on 23 May in Egypt.. In a news conference which included a prediction Anthony Joshua would be the next undisputed heavyweight champion and a two-minute face-off, Usyk made it clear the Verhoeven fight was a decision he made for himself in the twilight of his career.. Verhoeven, 37, has boxed professionally only once – in 2014 – while 39-year-old Usyk is one of the most decorated fighters in the sport’s history.. “For me it’s a challenge. Rico is a great guy, a dangerous guy,” Usyk said as the pair met at a news conference in London.. “One time I want to do what I want, not what I need. A lot of time I do what other people need. You have to box this person, or this or this. I say okay. Now I do what I want.”. The contest is widely viewed as a major mismatch, with critics particularly questioning why the WBC world title is at stake.. Usyk is an Olympic gold medallist, undisputed cruiserweight champion and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion who remains unbeaten in 24 professional bouts.. Verhoeven won 66 of his 76 kickboxing fights before announcing his departure from the sport in November. In boxing, he recorded a stoppage victory in his only bout 12 years ago against an opponent who had never won a professional fight.. More than five million watch Fury comeback on Netflix. 17 hours ago. What next for heavyweight division after Fury’s win?. 3 days ago. [embedded content]. What information do we collect from this quiz?. In another nod to how bizarre this bout is, Verhoeven explained it was actually actor and friend Jason Statham who persuaded Saudi organisers to give him the opportunity.. “When I land my best punch on him, of course he will go down,” Verhoeven said. “There is a 20 kilo weight difference. He’s a built-up cruiserweight.. “I’m a natural heavyweight. That’s the difference. That’s what will happen when I land my best shot clean. And if not, we’re going to win.”. Usyk appeared no different to his usual relaxed self, but as easily as he has done in the past, he switched quickly into serious mode when the traditional face-off happened, refusing to budge an inch.. Promoter Eddie Hearn, who sat on Verhoeven’s side of the table for the news conference but has no ties to either fighter, was forced to step in to stop the staredown, bringing an end to an otherwise light-hearted first media event for a fight no-one in boxing saw coming.. Pasta, pyramids & Fury-AJ predictions. As always, Usyk took the occasion in his stride. Asked about the secret to his success, he joked: “Hard training and good pasta – double portion.”. The unified champion has previously said he plans to face the winner of Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois after Verhoeven, followed by
