Overview
- Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh publicly urged a matchup between unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven on X.
- Verhoeven responded by proposing alternating rounds of boxing and kickboxing for up to 12 rounds, framing it as “undisputed vs undisputed.”
- Usyk has only reposted Alalshikh’s suggestion and has not agreed to the bout, while his camp confirms ongoing discussions with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
- ESPN reports Verhoeven is a free agent after vacating his GLORY heavyweight title, is training in Spain, and has just one professional boxing bout on his record (1-0).
- With Tyson Fury set for April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov and Deontay Wilder facing Derek Chisora on April 4, key heavyweight dates this spring limit immediate options for Usyk.