Agit Kabayel has critiqued Oleksandr Usyk’s performance against Rico Verhoeven, considering the standard of opponent he could potentially face in his next outing.
Despite being the overwhelming pre-fight favourite, Usyk was made to overcome several prickly moments in his WBC world heavyweight title defence last Saturday.
Defeat would have meant losing his IBF and WBA titles, too, which seemed increasingly likely as Verhoeven gave a stronger effort than many had anticipated.
Employing an awkward style, the decorated kickboxer was able to find repeated success with his right hand, despite only having one prior professional boxing match to his name.
This came in 2014, when the Dutchman stopped an 0-5 heavyweight in round two, with his fistic credentials paling in comparison to those of Usyk.
But while many complained that he was given a world title shot – and rightly so – Verhoeven nonetheless exceeded practically everyone’s expectations with his performance.
In the end, though, it was Usyk who emerged victorious, albeit via a controversial 11th-round stoppage where referee Mark Lyson intervened at the sound of the bell.
Moments before, the 39-year-old had floored Verhoeven with a sickening uppercut, which ultimately saw him remain unbeaten as a professional.
Hoping to scupper the Ukrainian’s unblemished record, meanwhile, is Kabayel, who told Inside The Ring that he feels Verhoeven’s unfamiliar style played a significant role.
“It wasn’t the perfect performance from Usyk, but it is what it is. You see the situation [with Usyk struggling].
“For me, it was also bad. When I see the fight, I felt [nervous]. I wait so long for the opportunity with Usyk, and he makes a very bad [job of it against Verhoeven].
“I think he is old. But I think Rico has a very unorthodox style. This was hard for Usyk – he cannot watch [much boxing tape of] Rico. He does not understand what the plan is from Rico.”
As the WBC ‘interim’ champion, Kabayel should soon be ordered to fight for the full world title, which could become vacant if Usyk decides to explore alternative options.
