Eddie Hearn Says Usyk Took Rico Fight Because It’s “Cool”

Hearn says Usyk now chooses challenges and experiences that personally interest him rather than chasing approval

Oleksandr Usyk’s crossover fight against Rico Verhoeven has confused many boxing fans, but Eddie Hearn believes the heavyweight champion accepted the challenge simply because he thought it was “cool.” Hearn says Usyk is now choosing unusual experiences and difficult tests rather than worrying about outside opinion late in his career.

Eddie Hearn believes the answer is simple. He says Usyk is no longer chasing approval and is instead choosing fights and events that personally interest him.

“I think Usyk will fight anyone. I don’t think he cares. I think Usyk wants to do things that he thinks are cool, things that challenge him,” said Eddie Hearn to Seconds Out.

“I think he thought this was cool, this whole experience fighting Rico, and maybe [Agit] Kabayel’s next. I don’t represent Oleksandr, but he can beat all those guys anyway. But Saturday’s first, and how long’s he got left? You just don’t know.”

The fight will take place beside the Pyramids in Cairo, a setting that has already become one of the biggest talking points of fight week and a major part of the promotion surrounding the event.

Hearn also defended Verhoeven’s credentials heading into the fight, rejecting comparisons to influencer crossover bouts and pointing to the Dutch star’s background in kickboxing.

“He has to do something incredible, and that is to beat the pound-for-pound number one in a sport that he is not used to competing in,” Hearn said.

“It’s not like he’s just a YouTuber or something like that. Kickboxers have been notoriously good boxers. And so is he. He’s a good boxer, but he’s fighting Oleksandr Usyk.”

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