Tyson Fury has had his say on one of the most unusual heavyweight clashes in recent memory — and while he’s acknowledging the dominance of rival Oleksandr Usyk, he isn’t ruling out chaos.
Because when a kickboxing king steps into a boxing ring against an undisputed champion, anything can happen.
Rico Verhoeven is set to challenge Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title on May 23 in what’s being billed as a blockbuster crossover showdown.
It’s a fight that has raised eyebrows – and anticipation – across the sport. Not least because Verhoeven will be stepping into just his second professional boxing match — with his last outing coming nearly 12 years ago.
But Fury, who previously sparred the Dutchman ahead of his iconic win over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, believes there’s still a danger factor.
“[Verhoeven’s] a big man, isn’t he? Big right hand,” he told Gareth Davies.
That physical presence — and raw power — is what gives Verhoeven at least a puncher’s chance. And Fury made that clear, adding: “[Usyk’s] fought a lot of big men with a similar style to Rico but, listen, [Verhoeven’s] a big man, he’s got a chance, he’s got power.
“Who knows what he can do in there? Usyk’s, what is he, 39 years old now? But the thing with him is he’s only had 24 [professional] fights – he doesn’t have a lot of mileage on the clock. And he turned pro in late 2013, so I think he’s going to be alright.”
Nevertheless, Fury’s message is clear – Verhoeven has a chance. And for the former GLORY champ, this is exactly the kind of challenge he’s been searching for.
After dominating kickboxing for over a decade, the Dutchman is now stepping into completely unfamiliar territory — not for comfort, but for legacy. He said at the time of the fight announcement: “I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it.
“I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
Usyk, for his part, has welcomed the challenge — but made it clear he knows exactly what he’s stepping into.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief,” he told the press. “I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.”
That contrast — kickboxing dominance versus boxing mastery — is what makes the fight so compelling.
And behind the scenes, there’s another familiar link. Verhoeven will be trained by Fury’s uncle, Peter Fury, adding another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable matchup.
“It’s going to be a great night,” Peter Fury has stated, per The Sun. “[There’s] a lot of hard work to be done. Two great people, two great champions in their own right, what a privilege. Onwards we go, three months away in training camps, Spain, Holland – now back to Holland for another three-month training camp.”
For now, the fight sits in that rare space between spectacle and genuine uncertainty.
On paper, Usyk is the clear favourite. But as Fury pointed out — size and power can change everything. And when a man with nothing to lose steps into the ring, even the most dominant champions have to be ready for anything.
Featured image credit: Instagram/Ring Magazine/YouTube/GarethADavis (screenshot)
