WBC under fire for allowing Usyk to defend world title against Verhoeven

WBC decision to sanction world heavyweight title contest between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven has led one fan to label the event as ‘a complete circus’.

Usyk has been an old-school fighter throughout his career and a genuine, well-respected and appreciated world champion at cruiserweight and heavyweight, hailed for his victories away from home and his fearless will to challenge all comers.

Following an extraordinary series of grueling and sustained contests, in which he maintained his unbeaten record, the disciplined Ukrainian has become a pound-for-pound star and is recognized as a modern heavyweight legend.

At 39, most feel he has earned the right to fight whoever he wants and make as much money as he can.

However, the fact that the WBC world heavyweight title will be on the line for a fight between Usyk and The Dutch kickboxer, Rico Verhoevenwho has a professional boxing record of 1-0, has understandably increased boxing fans around the world.

Verhoeven’s only victory came 12 years ago, against Janos Finfera from 0-5, and ‘The Prince of Kickboxing’ now has the chance to become the fastest heavyweight champion in the world of boxing, if he manages to do the unthinkable and dethrone Usyk.

After receiving backlash when the incident was announced, WBC explained that they had not yet decided whether Usyk’s belt would be on the line. Although, after 24 hours of ‘careful consideration’, it has now been ruled that it is allowed to fight for the world title.

Update on Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, scheduled for May 23.

Read more on https://t.co/9zpHq6fB9Upic.twitter.com/rtGbMJoOPg

— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) March 1, 2026

Typically, a fighter must be ranked in the WBC top 15 in order to challenge for his belt, a position boxers regularly risk their lives for. Verhoeven will likely usurp those fighters in the coming weeks, skipping the line due to his excellent kickboxing record.

A recent example of WBC making the complete opposite decision was when Tyson Fury, the champion at the time, faced Francis Ngannou in the latter’s first pro bout. While Fury was allowed to retain the belt, the fight was not a world title fight and Ngannou had no chance of winning the belt.

On social media, the response was one-sided, as supporters of the fight unanimously condemned the Book Council’s verdict, labeling the state of boxing as a ‘complete circus’ and declaring that the sanctioning body was ‘making a mockery of the sport’.

Despite the frustration and disappointment that Usyk was not fighting mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, Usyk will be ordered to fight the German on his next outing if he wants to hold on to the belt.

As for Usyk’s WBA and IBF heavyweight world titles, there is no update as of yet. He may or may not be stripped of those belts before his clash with Verhoeven, with Murat Gassiev possibly promoted to WBA world champion if it happens.

Meanwhile, it is possible that the IBF crown could be added to the final eliminator already scheduled between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr, which takes place on the Fundora-Thurman undercard later this month.