Trump says he will ‘try and make’ son’s wedding, but timing is ‘not good’ for him
Trump may miss Donald Jr.'s wedding due to busy schedule and Iran issues
The Guardian World1 min read
Usyk opponent Verhoeven 'not a normal man' - Hearn
TL;DR
Promoter Eddie Hearn labeled Rico Verhoeven as 'not a normal man' ahead of his world title fight against Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt. The match is seen as a significant mismatch, raising questions about the legitimacy of a world title being contested.
Key points
- Eddie Hearn described Rico Verhoeven as 'not a normal man'.
- Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Verhoeven.
- The fight is set to take place in Egypt at the pyramids of Giza.
- Critics consider the bout a significant mismatch.
- Questions arise about the legitimacy of a world title being contested.
Mentioned in this story
Eddie HearnRico VerhoevenOleksandr UsykEgypt
WBC heavyweight title
Promoter Eddie Hearn described Rico Verhoeven as "not a normal man" before the boxing novice's world title shot against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt on Saturday.
Ukrainian Usyk - widely considered the greatest heavyweight of his era - will put his WBC title on the line against kickboxing legend Verhoeven.
The bout, which will take place at the foot of the pyramids of Giza, is widely viewed as a major mismatch - with critics questioning why a world title is at stake.
"The fight on paper is an impossible mountain to climb for Rico Verhoeven," Matchroom promoter Hearn said.
"No, I'll rephrase that. For the normal man. But the reason he has accomplished what he's accomplished, and the reason he's done what he's done, is because he's not a normal man."
Verhoeven is a huge underdog and victory over Usyk would rank among the biggest shocks in boxing history, arguably surpassing Buster Douglas' stunning win over Mike Tyson in Tokyo in 1990.
The Dutchman won 66 of his 76 kickboxing fights and has not lost in more than 4,000 days. But the 37-year-old has had only one professional boxing bout - a stoppage win over a journeyman 12 years ago.
Usyk, meanwhile, is one of boxing's most decorated fighters; an Olympic gold medallist, undisputed cruiserweight champion and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion who remains unbeaten in 24 professional bouts.
The 39-year-old wore a striking Egyptian-inspired white and gold outfit, complete with a cape and draped sleeves, though his answers did not match the extravagance of his attire. At one stage, he even appeared to be on a video call during the media-only event.
When it was put to him that Verhoeven believes his lack of experience could bring an element of surprise Usyk has never faced before, the champion replied: "I have no idea how many rounds this will go. I'm not sad with 12 rounds. It's normal. But I don't know. When I have the chance, I'll do it."
The contest will count as a defence of Usyk's WBA 'Super' title and he would also lose his IBF belt if defeated, although Verhoeven is not eligible to win either championship.
Outpointing Usyk would be the 'ultimate'
Figure caption,
Oleksandr Usyk on fighting Rico Verhoeven, Anthony Joshua and world title defence
Hearn's promotional energy rescued an otherwise uneventful news conference that lacked tension between the fighters.
"This giant of a guy, whose arms are like the normal man's thighs, has an opportunity to - let's be honest - produce one of the greatest upsets in the history of boxing," Hearn said.
"It might not be to him, but on paper it absolutely will be."
Verhoeven paid respect to his opponent and explained his decision to transition into boxing.
Q&A
Why did Eddie Hearn call Rico Verhoeven 'not a normal man'?
Eddie Hearn described Verhoeven this way to highlight his exceptional achievements in kickboxing and the challenges he faces in boxing against Usyk.
What is the significance of the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight?
The fight is significant as it features Oleksandr Usyk defending his WBC heavyweight title against a kickboxing champion, raising questions about the legitimacy of the title match.
Where will the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight take place?
The fight will take place at the foot of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
What are critics saying about the Usyk vs. Verhoeven matchup?
Critics view the matchup as a major mismatch, questioning why a world title is at stake given the perceived disparity in boxing experience.
