Verhoeven outweighed Oleksandr Usyk by more than 25 pounds and believes the physical difference could shape Saturday’s heavyweight clash in Egypt
Rico Verhoeven believes his size could become a serious factor against Oleksandr Usyk after outweighing the heavyweight champion by more than 25 pounds at Thursday’s weigh-in. The kickboxing star dismissed outside criticism and insisted he has more ways to win than simply landing one big shot.
Usyk officially weighed in at a career-high 233.3 pounds for the fight, but Verhoeven still came in more than 25 pounds heavier at 258.7. The visual difference between the two was noticeable again during Thursday’s face-off, although Usyk appeared thicker through the shoulders and chest than in several of his recent heavyweight fights.
“I think so. Yeah,” said Verhoeven to The Stomping Ground when asked if size is the biggest factor in the fight.
“So one main use okay size because you see you two big of course but we’re still before the fight so and this is going to be aired before the fight so and everybody sees and hears everything so we’re definitely not giving away the game plan, but I think size does matter and that’s why we have weight divisions.”
Verhoeven dismissed suggestions that the odds or public reaction had affected his mindset heading into the fight. Many fans and analysts have treated the contest as a mismatch because of Usyk’s boxing pedigree and unbeaten record at heavyweight.
“As soon as I start putting weight on other people’s opinion, then I’m going to have a very sad life,” said Rico. “So, I don’t listen to it. I don’t look at it. I just live my life, and everybody can think and say whatever they want.”
Verhoeven disagreed with the idea that a knockout is his only realistic path to victory against the unified heavyweight champion.
“But the first objective is to win. How are we going to win? Let’s see. May the best man win. But my objective is I am going to win. And how we’re going to do it, let’s see what happens,” said Verhoeven.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven official weigh-in results:
Oleksandr Usyk – 233.3 lbs
Rico Verhoeven – 258.7 lbs
Frank Sanchez – 240.4 lbs
Richard Torrez Jr – 229.5 lbs
Shakhram Giyasov – 145.7 lbs
Jack Catterall – 146.8 lbs
Hamzah Sheeraz – 167.9 lbs
Alem Begic – 166.9 lbs
Mizuki Hiruta – 114.7 lbs
Mai Soliman – 114 lbs
