Eddie Hearn has suggested that Oleksandr Usyk should pursue a rematch with Rico Verhoeven, and that the Ukrainian should aim to retire with a win in that bout.
On 23 May, Usyk beat Verhoeven at the pyramids of Giza to retain the WBC heavyweight title and stay unbeaten, but those facts hardly tell the story of the fight.
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Kickboxing icon Verhoeven, who was boxing professionally for just the second time, appeared to be ahead in the fight before he was controversially stopped at the end of round 11.
Oleksandr Usyk (left) during his controversial victory over Rico Verhoeven (Reuters)
Verhoeven, 37, was knocked down by Usyk late in the round, and although an initial controversy saw the Dutchman given extra time to recover as he re-inserted his mouthguard, the key point of debate revolved around the stoppage in the ensuing moments; the referee waved off the bout after the bell, as Usyk poured on punches with his opponent stuck on the ropes.
Furthermore, it was revealed after the fight that Verhoeven was actually only ahead on one scorecard, and narrowly, while the other two had the bout a draw after 10 rounds.
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Now, boxing promoter Hearn has told Fight Hub TV: “I think that Usyk will always take it seriously, but the reality is he’s a legacy guy, and this was a money fight.
“It wasn’t a fight that he called for; it was a fight that was presented to him, and they went, ‘Yeah, we’ll take it.’ The others have been about legacy, about becoming a two-time, three-time undisputed champion.
“But you can’t take anything away from Rico, because what he did was incredible. I mean, he was so unorthodox, that’s one of the tough things for a boxer [to deal with], but normally Usyk will adapt to the style and find a way.
“I thought [Usyk] was behind after 10 [rounds], obviously a 10-8 round if it hadn’t have got stopped in the 11th, and I think he would’ve won the 12th to probably win by a point – but I thought the stoppage was early, [and] I thought the bell went.
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“I do think he probably would have stopped [Verhoeven] in the 12th, to be honest with you, but we were robbed of finding out. And Rico deserved to see what he could do in the 12th round.”
Verhoeven protesting the stoppage of his fight with Usyk (Getty)
Usyk’s next fight would appear to be a rematch with Verhoeven or a mandatory title defence against Agit Kabayel. In fact, the latter’s promoter Frank Warren said he is “not going to stand” for Usyk vs Verhoeven 2.
Still, Hearn said: “If I was Usyk, I’d be rematching Rico Verhoeven straight away in Holland, and I would probably end my career there with a win.
“I don’t think he needs to necessarily fight Kabayel, who’s a great fighter; what’s he got to prove? But I do think that fight [in Egypt], that result, gives him an excuse to run it back, and I think he could probably win the fight quite comfortably – maybe.
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“Again, I don’t wanna write Rico off, because he’s a big, strong guy, but I just feel like Usyk will next time be better. I’m not saying people weren’t excited about the [first] fight, but no one gave Rico a chance, but now – especially in Holland – they’ll think that Rico can win. And maybe he can, but I think Usyk would do a better job next time.”
Agit Kabayel is the WBC’s mandatory challenger to Usyk (Getty)
Usyk also holds the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, and he has expressed a desire in becoming a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion, to go along with his previous reign as undisputed cruiserweight champion.
However, the WBO belt is held by Daniel Dubois – whom Usyk has stopped twice – and there is little appetite in a trilogy bout between the pair.
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Furthermore, at this stage, it feels likelier that Usyk will be losing a title rather than winning one, even if not through a defeat in the ring; if he elects to rematch Verhoeven, he will surely be stripped of his WBC belt.
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