Glory champion steps into Usyk’s range with size and discipline, leaving kicks behind
Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven, a dominant kickboxing champion stepping fully into boxing rules. The question is whether structure built on kicks survives inside Usyk’s range.
That is the tension around Oleksandr Usyk’s next defense of the WBC heavyweight belt. The champion stays the same. The unknown stands across from him.
Verhoeven ruled Glory’s heavyweight division for more than a decade, stacking 13 title defenses between 2013 and 2025. Six-foot-five, broad across the shoulders, drilled in structure and conditioning. In kickboxing he set up attacks with chopping legs, controlling space, sticking to a tight plan. Under boxing rules, the menu shrinks. Hands, feet, balance, judgment over twelve rounds.
Ben Edwards, who shared the ring with Verhoeven in 2012, spoke to Fox Sports about what he faced.
They met in the Netherlands after appearing on the same show weeks earlier. Edwards remembers preparation and detail.
“Rico wasn’t a naturally talented fighter he just worked his a** off for years and years. He has a really technical coach and it showed when we fought,” Edwards said.
He explained the tactics that shaped that fight.
“He had the perfect game plan against me, cover his head and chop my legs. One factor I didn’t take into account is the size of his legs, they are huge and even checking his kicks absolutely destroyed my shin.”
That approach built a dominant kickboxing champion. It does not hand you rounds against Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk remains unbeaten as a professional. Olympic gold medalist. Former undisputed cruiserweight champion. He moved to heavyweight and beat Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury through footwork, feints, and punch selection.
Edwards does not see a clean crossover.
“Rico is great at game planning but he is not a big puncher or a great boxer, just an extremely effective kickboxer using all of his weapons together,” he said.
He expects awkward moments, not a change in control.
“I’m sure he will have his moments as he doesn’t have a boxer’s rhythm and will be a little awkward at times for Usyk but it should be a clear victory for Usyk.”
John Wayne Parr also spoke to Fox Sports: “Rico has been undefeated the last ten years, beating the best in the heavy weight division, he’s definitely the face of heavyweight kickboxing,” Parr said.
He did not stretch the projection.
“It will be difficult for anyone to beat Usyk right now. But hopefully Rico’s awkward rhythm might be able to catch him off guard.”
Parr touched on mentality.
“They have less fear,” he said. “Getting kicked and kneed really hurts. So only having to worry about being punched with a glove makes fighting less scary.”
Heavyweight boxing punishes mistakes. A straight right through the guard can change a round. Usyk has felt clean shots before and answered by tightening range, increasing his workrate, and stepping around the lead foot to reopen angles.
Verhoeven brings size, structure, and belief. He leaves his most punishing weapons outside the ropes. Under boxing rules, he has to solve a master with his hands alone.