Boxing Jul 07, 2026

Rico Verhoeven insists he has the armoury to hurt Oleksandr Usyk again after contentious stoppage in heavyweight showdown

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Rico Verhoeven insists he has the armoury to hurt Oleksandr Usyk again after contentious stoppage in heavyweight showdown

Rico Verhoeven insists he has plenty of tools in his armoury to surprise Oleksandr Usyk a second time.

Verhoeven came close to taking the unified world heavyweight champion the distance in their showdown earlier this month before Usyk forced a stoppage in controversial circumstances, with just one second remaining in round 11.

Speaking to Your Site, Verhoeven explained how he hurt Usyk in the ring - and how there will be much more from where that came from if the pair meet again.

"I like to believe there is a world where maybe he wasn't at his best, I was doing really well, and those two things came together to make the fight look the way it did," Verhoeven said.

"I definitely hurt him in different spots, especially to the body. Not hurt to the point where I was close to getting him out of there, but the next day, he will have felt that.

"This is just me opening the toolbox. I only showed a few tools. There are multiple ways we can fight Usyk. The next one, again, is going to be a surprise."

The dramatic conclusion to their fight at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza has fuelled calls for an immediate rematch.

Whether Verhoeven gets another shot at Usyk remains to be seen, with the Ukrainian ordered to face WBC mandatory Agit Kabayel or vacate that belt.

It has left Verhoeven in the dark over what happens next.

"I have no clue," he said. "It's not up to me. Let's see where his mind is at."

Should a rematch with Usyk fail to materialise, Verhoeven has just one stipulation for his burgeoning boxing career: the biggest fights in the best locations, whoever the opponent may be.

Asked whether he now sees his future in boxing, the former kickboxing world champion replied: "I hope so.

"I'm open to seeing what opportunities become available because I've been reached out to by the whole world. It's been crazy. Let's see what next steps make sense.

"I just want to make the biggest fights - big fights at crazy locations. We draw a bunch of viewers. They've seen what we're capable of, and they see I'm one of the top box-office stars.

"It's not up to me who I fight next. It's up to the organisation. Who do they want to see me against? I'll be ready to fight anybody - anybody."

Watch Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki on Zuffa Boxing show in Bournemouth in June 6, live on Your Site.

Tags:

boxing news

Share this article

Related Posts

Agit Kabayel offers Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma the chance to fight for WBC heavyweight title

Agit Kabayel offers Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma the chance to fight for WBC heavyweight title

Agit Kabayel is open to defending his WBC heavyweight world title against Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury or Moses Itauma.When Oleksandr Usyk vacated his b...

Heavyweight boxing: What will happen to Oleksandr Usyk's world titles and will Moses Itauma take over the division?

Heavyweight boxing: What will happen to Oleksandr Usyk's world titles and will Moses Itauma take over the division?

Oleksandr Usyk has dominated the heavyweight scene in recent years. He established himself as the pre-eminent boxer in the division with victories ove...

Moses Itauma could face Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF belt after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his world heavyweight titles

Moses Itauma could face Frank Sanchez for the vacant IBF belt after Oleksandr Usyk vacated his world heavyweight titles

Frank Sanchez expects to face Britain's unbeaten contender Moses Itauma for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title.Oleksandr Usyk relinquished the IBF...

Tyson Fury to fight Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24 before Anthony Joshua showdown

Tyson Fury to fight Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24 before Anthony Joshua showdown

Tyson Fury will finalise preparations for his proposed November showdown with Anthony Joshua by fighting Mariusz Wach in Thailand on July 24.Joshua an...

Oleksandr Usyk weighs final fight options as promoter rules out Tyson Fury trilogy: 'I believe that chapter is closed'

Oleksandr Usyk weighs final fight options as promoter rules out Tyson Fury trilogy: 'I believe that chapter is closed'

Oleksandr Usyk has chosen to end his world title reign, but will fight once more before his expected retirement from the sport.His team have essential...

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight can take place at Wembley Stadium if authorities agree to later start time, says Turki Alalshikh

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight can take place at Wembley Stadium if authorities agree to later start time, says Turki Alalshikh

The blockbuster heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua could still be held at Wembley Stadium, but only if local authorities agree to...