The WBC’s decision to sanction a heavyweight world title contest between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven has led one fan to label the event as a ‘complete circus’.
Usyk has been an old-school fighter throughout his career and a valid, respected and appreciated world champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, applauded for his triumphs on away soil and fearlessness will to take on all comers.
Following an extraordinary run of arduous and enduring contests, where he maintained his undefeated record, the disciplined Ukrainian has become a pound-for-pound star and is recognised as a modern heavyweight legend.
At 39 years old, most feel he has earned the right to fight who he wants and make as much money as he can.
However, the fact that the coveted WBC heavyweight world title will be on the line for a contest between Usyk and Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who boasts a professional boxing record of 1-0, has understandably riled up boxing fans around the globe.
Verhoeven’s solitary win came 12 years ago, against a 0-5 Janos Finfera, and ‘The Prince of Kickboxing’ now has the opportunity to become boxing’s fastest heavyweight world champion, if he manages to do the unthinkable and dethrone Usyk.
After receiving backlash when the event was announced, the WBC explained that they had not yet determined whether Usyk’s belt would be on the line. Although, after 24 hours of ‘careful consideration’, it has now been ruled that will be permitted to fight for the world title.
Update on Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, scheduled for May 23.
Read more on https://t.co/9zpHq6fB9Upic.twitter.com/rtGbMJoOPg
— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) March 1, 2026
Typically, a fighter must be ranked in the WBC’s top 15 in order to challenge for their belt, a position which boxers regularly risk their lives to reach. Assumably, Verhoeven will usurp those combatants in the coming weeks, skipping the line due to his outstanding kickboxing record.
A recent example of the WBC making the opposite decision entirely was when Tyson Fury, then champion, faced Francis Ngannou in that latter’s first pro bout. While Fury was allowed to keep the belt, the match-up was not a world title fight and Ngannou had no chance of winning the belt.
On social media, the reaction was one-sided, as fight fans unanimously condemned the WBC’s verdict, labelling the state of boxing as a ‘complete circus’ and stating that the sanctioning body are ‘making a mockery of the sport’.
Despite the frustration and disappointment at Usyk not fighting mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, Usyk will be ordered to fight the German upon his next outing should he want to hold on to the belt.
As for Usyk’s WBA and IBF heavyweight world titles, there is no update as of yet. He may be stripped of or vacate those belts prior to his clash with Verhoeven, with Murat Gassiev potentially being elevated to WBA world champion if it does occur.
Meanwhile, the IBF crown could potentially be added to the already scheduled final eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr, which takes place on the Fundora-Thurman undercard at the end of this month.
