Can Rico Verhoeven Beat Oleksandr Usyk? Overeem Explains How

Overeem says Verhoeven’s size, kickboxing experience, and unpredictability create unusual problems for Usyk in Egypt

Alistair Overeem believes Oleksandr Usyk is facing something unusual in Rico Verhoeven: unpredictability. The former kickboxing star says Verhoeven’s size, striking background, and unfamiliar rhythm could create problems even for a heavyweight champion known for solving elite opponents inside the ring.

“Usyk is a gigantic codebreaker,” said the former Dutch kickboxer Alistair Overeem on the Ariel Helwani YouTube channel. “He is somebody who just deciphers people and breaks codes. He just sees Rico, ‘Hey, this is like unknown code, big gentleman, 125 kg.’ So there’s like a weight advantage there. He is undefeated. So it’s a nice resume, and let’s just see how I can break this code under these boxing rules.

“The X-factor is what makes this fight beautiful because Rico is battle-tested, motivation is good, but still there’s an X-factor. We have never seen them box. I think that is the beauty of this fight. We’re going to see how both fighters step up the gear and make adjustments. There’s more to lose for Usyk, less to lose for Rico.”

Overeem also believes Verhoeven’s striking style may translate better to boxing than many fans expect because of how much he already relied on boxing mechanics during his kickboxing career.

“What Rico did was he used the boxing footwork, the boxing stances, the boxing fakes in the kickboxing ring, and that is what gave him victories in kickboxing,” said Overeem. “What we have not seen is Rico in a boxing fight with somebody doing all those things better than him.

“I’m inclined 80% Usyk, 20% Rico. I’m going to be realistic. This is Usyk’s playground. But there’s a way to advance for Rico. They’re not going in there to lose. To me, it’s interesting to see the game plan and how he executes it.”

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