Usyk vs Verhoeven: Egyptian Showdown

0:00Unbeaten heavyweight champ, Oleksandr Usik, is stepping outside the box, giving kickbox and King Rico Verhoeven a crack at his WBC title. The fight set for May 23rd at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, a 12-round clash where only that one belts up for grabs, Usik's keeping his, WBA and IBF strapped safe. Usik, 39 and 24-0 with 15 knockouts, hasn't boxed since knocking out Daniel Dubois last July. He says it's time to call his own shots after years of fan demands, calling Verhoeven a great, dangerous guy, despite the kickboxers just one pro. Boxing win back in 2014. Verhoeven, 37 and a massive 125 kilos, is hyped, crediting action star Jason Statham for helping make it happen. He plans to use kickboxing angles and his heavyweight bill to puzzle Usik, swearing his best punch drops to Ukrainian like no one's managed before. Usik shrugs off the size talk.

1:00He's beaten giants like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, despite fighting under 230 pounds. His recipe, hard training and double portions of good pasta. Verhoeven calls him a built-up cruiserweight, Usik just says we'll see. Meanwhile, heavyweights keep buzzing as Fury fresh off a win, calls out Joshua, who's hinting at contract soon. Usik even predicts Joshua takes that undisputed future throne. This Egypt showdowns, just the spark lighting up the division's wild ride ahead. Local news, powered by AI. This is Sydney News Today, I'm Corey with The Story.