Career-heavy Usyk 25lb lighter than 'dangerous' Verhoeven

ByKal Sajad

BBC Sport boxing journalist

World champion Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at his career heaviest for Saturday's title defence against Rico Verhoeven, but still gave up 25lb to the challenger.

The Ukrainian great will face the kickboxer-turned-boxer at the foot of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, with the WBC title on the line.

Usyk scaled 16st 9lb (106kg) - seven pounds heavier than for his stoppage win over Briton Daniel Dubois last summer.

Despite being a huge favourite, the 39-year-old insisted he was taking the "dangerous" Verhoeven seriously.

"I'm not [thinking] relaxed and this is easy money. This is a fighter," added Usyk.

He was in a typically relaxed mood as he reiterated that he planned to box two more times after this fight.

Verhoeven, 37, weighed in at 18st 7lb (117kg) for only his second professional boxing bout - and 12 years after his first.

The Dutchman said he was "super happy and confident" and "fully emerged into the world of boxing", but refused to be drawn into how he plans to create arguably the greatest upset in the sport's history.

"We're not going to do predictions. May the best man win," added Verhoeven.

The pair shared another intense 90-second face-off, eventually broken up by promoter Eddie Hearn stepping between them.

Despite a respectful build-up, their previous media encounters have also been notably lengthy, with the combined time for all stare downs around five minutes - each one eventually halted by Hearn.

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.

On the undercard, Britain's Hamzah Sheeraz weighed 12st 1lb (76kg), two pounds heavier than Alem Begic before their fight for the vacant WBO super-middleweight title.

The unbeaten Londoner, 26, is targeting a first world title in his 23rd professional bout.

Chorley's Jack Catterall weighed 10st 7lb (67kg), a pound heavier than Shakhram Giyasov for their WBA 'regular' welterweight title bout.

Widely regarded as one of the most talented British fighters yet to become a world champion, victory would move Catterall, 32, closer to a shot at the full WBA title.

Usyk is one of the sport's most decorated fighters, an Olympic gold medallist who has unified both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions across 24 unbeaten fights.

On paper, a rise on the scales may prompt questions about why he is operating outside his most effective weight, particularly against a boxing novice.

Fury's conditioning in his 2023 bout with Francis Ngannou, when he was dropped and laboured to a narrow points win over the MMA fighter, is often cited as an example of how preparation and focus can come under scrutiny in crossover fights.

In Usyk's case, however, his approach and discipline have remained consistent throughout his amateur and professional career across weight classes, with the Ukrainian considered one of the sport's ultimate professionals.

He said at Thursday's news conference that when a stoppage opportunity presents itself, he will take it.

The increase on the scales could therefore suggest he is looking to carry more power into the contest and planning a quick victory.

Former super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall, though, does not believe the added weight will alter Usyk's approach.

"If he was a stone and a half heavier, that would be an issue, but I don't think it changes the way he's going to box," said the BBC boxing pundit.

"Usyk handles any style that's put in front of him and I don't think the added weight changes his style at all. He'll do what he always does - pick his opponent apart."

Woodhall added 6ft 5in Verhoeven should look to use his two-inch height and slight reach advantage carefully.

"That can be an advantage for Verhoeven if he uses it sensibly," added Woodhall. "He needs to stay disciplined, sit back and make Usyk come to him.

"But if he goes looking for Usyk and overreaches, he'll walk on to shots. Usyk is a great technician and knows how to handle bigger men. He's faced fighters like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua and he's never had a problem with taller opponents."