WBC complete U-turn on Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven crossover fight

After careful consideration, the WBC has decided to sanction the heavyweight crossover fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven.

Oleksandr Usyk hasn’t competed inside the boxing ring since last July when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in their undisputed heavyweight title rematch.

After having achieved everything there is to achieve in the sport, the Ukrainian appeared to be teetering towards retirement, before targeting a fight against Deontay Wilder.

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Despite that, the 39-year-old was approached with a mega crossover fight by Turki Alalshikh, and it was announced a few days ago that he will take on legendary kickboxer, Rico Verhoeven in a huge crossover.

WBC release statement on Usyk vs Verhoeven

The super fight is scheduled to take place in front of the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, in what is set to be one of the biggest fights of the year.

Initially, WBC president, Mauricio Sulaiman, stated that the WBC fully supports the clash, but claimed that it wouldn’t be for the WBC world title.

“We will create an unbelievable belt featuring the elements of Pyramids of Egypt,” he told Sports Illustrated.

“At this moment there has not been discussion of a request to be a title defense and just a special event involving the WBC heavyweight champion.”

Despite that, in a statement released this Sunday afternoon, the WBC have completed a U-turn regarding their stance on the fight, revealing that the WBC world heavyweight title will now be on the line.

“After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defense against legendary kickboxing champion, Rico Verhoeven.

“At its 63rd Annual Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC granted Champion Usyk a voluntary defense. Subsequently, the WBC received the petition to sanction Usyk vs Verhoeven fight as a voluntary defense.”

The WBC didn’t sanction Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou

The WBC’s decision to in fact sanction this mega crossover fight as a title fight potentially comes after a competitive clash between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in 2023.

In his statement to Sports Illustrated, Sulaiman touched on the fact that the WBC supported Fury vs Ngannou, which turned out to be ‘very competitive’.

Despite that, when those two heavyweights clashed, Fury’s WBC title was not on the line.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Next Move Feels Like the Beginning of the End

Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against longtime GLORY kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, in an event titled “Glory in Giza.”

The bout was announced by Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine as an undisputed-versus-undisputed crossover, with Verhoeven stepping back into professional boxing for the first time since 2014.

Alalshikh stated, “It is not fun, it is a dangerous fight,” in defense of matching the heavyweight champion against a 1-0 kickboxer for a WBC title defense.

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Voluntary Window
Usyk holds three versions of the heavyweight championship and is currently in a voluntary defense period. That window had been expected to produce a fight with Deontay Wilder.

Wilder’s decision to move forward with his previously planned bout against Derek Chisora effectively closed that route, unless Usyk chooses to vacate belts to avoid upcoming mandatory obligations.

As outlined by WBN, Agit Kabayel stands next in line. Murat Gassiev or Moses Itauma could follow after another voluntary allowance before IBF and WBO mandatories return to the forefront.

Kabayel now faces the real possibility of being left behind, much like Joseph Parker once waited at the top of the WBO rankings only to see his opportunity evaporate.

The structure of the division remains intact, and the contender line is active, but Usyk has chosen to step outside it.

Control Over Titles
Holding three belts provides leverage that few heavyweights in history have possessed simultaneously.

The Verhoeven selection shows Usyk is prioritizing control over obligation. The urgency to satisfy the queue appears secondary to controlling his own timetable.

This is not a criticism. At 39, with wins over Mairis Briedis, Gassiev, Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice, Usyk has already completed the historical checklist at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

At this stage, the focus is no longer proving anything — it is managing time and chasing specific historical targets.

The Endgame Is Visible
One plausible route sees Usyk defeat Verhoeven and then target the winner of Fabio Wardley vs. Daniel Dubois, a bout that would likely receive sanctioning approval given the undisputed implications.

Victory there would position Usyk as a three-time undisputed champion, joining Terence Crawford in rare territory. That scenario would allow him to leave the division on his terms before the full mandatory cycle closes around him.

The Verhoeven decision makes the direction clear.

With three titles secured and contenders waiting, the move points toward career control over belt consolidation.

If this sequence plays out, the Giza event will not be remembered as a spectacle — it will be remembered as the moment Usyk chose his exit strategy over clearing the division for a third time.