Jason Statham played surprising role in Olekandr Usyk’s next fight against Rico Verhoeven

Hollywood superstar Jason Statham kickstarted negotiations for Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, according to esteemed journalist Ariel Helwani.

Last week, it was announced that unified heavyweight titleholder Usyk will face kickboxing legend Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23.

Getty

AFP

Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, hasn’t fought since brutally knocking out Daniel Dubois in a four-belt shootout at Wembley Stadium last July.

The 39-year-old from Ukraine was set to meet Fabio Wardley in an undisputed bout after the latter stopped Joseph Parker, but opted to vacate his WBO belt, with Wardley now fighting Dubois on May 8.

After talks of a Deontay Wilder clash collapsed, Usyk is now set to meet Dutch kickboxer Verhoeven and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman granted permission for his belt to be defended in the bout.

Not many could’ve predicted that Usyk would end up meeting Verhoeven, but Helwani has revealed how negotiations played out.

Jason Statham’s links to the combat world

“This some way, somehow got to Jason Statham,” Helwani explained.

“Jason Statham is a very good friend of Rico Verhoeven. Jason Statham is also a very good friend of Turki Alalshikh (Saudi boxing chief and co-founder of Zuffa Boxing). 

“Jason Statham pitched Turki Alalshikh, Rico Verhoeven. Turki Alalshikh was not familiar with Rico Verhoeven.

“And [Statham] said, ‘This is the guy, this is my boy.’ I think they were in a movie together.”

Statham, best known for his role in the Fast and Furious franchise, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, to name a few, is a die-hard kickboxing fan.

The 58-year-old has been spotted at many events over the years, developing a close relationship with the sport’s biggest star Verhoeven, along the way.

Getty

Getty

How Verhoeven landed a title fight with Usyk

Verhoeven has been previously linked to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, but Helwani reports the timing just wasn’t right for the latter to finalise a deal.

The Dutchman, who has a record of 49-8, was then made an offer by the UFC upon the expiry of his contract with kickboxing promotion Glory.

The UFC reportedly offered Verhoeven Derrick Lewis at UFC 324, with good money at stake, too.

However, Verhoeven had a better option in Anthony Joshua, who planned to fight the kickboxer after facing Jake Paul in December.

Joshua’s tragic car accident derailed those plans, but Alalshikh was keen on getting Verhoeven a fight and this is when Usyk entered conversations.

“They still have this deal and still wanted to make it right,” Helwani added.

“They still want to make a deal with Rico Verhoeven. And so they say, ‘Okay, what’s the next best thing? Let’s go to Oleksandr Usyk.’

“And so that’s how this whole thing got made.”

Dave Allen tells talkSPORT Usyk vs Verhoeven should not be sanctioned

The reaction to Usyk vs Verhoeven, who is being trained by Peter Fury for the clash, has been mixed.

Some appreciate Usyk securing the best deal possible at this stage of his career, while others have questioned how his opponent has been gifted an immediate title shot, with top heavyweights like Wardley and Agit Kabayel waiting in the wings.

Speaking to talkSPORT on Tuesday, British heavyweight boxer Dave Allen revealed on which side of the fence he sits.

“I did a bit of sparring with [Verhoeven],” Allen told talkSPORT on Tuesday.

“He’s actually a really good fighter. Probably one of the best kickboxers there’s ever been.

“But this is boxing, innit? And Usyk’s probably the best heavyweight of the last 20 years.

“So I don’t really like the fight. It shouldn’t be sanctioned. It should be an exhibition.

“Usyk should give his belts up, let Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, all these upcoming heavyweights that want a chance to be the heavyweight champion.

“Let them do that, and you can do your exhibitions and go and do them elsewhere. Make your money.

“I don’t begrudge him because he’s had an amazing career, but don’t do it at the cost of other people’s careers as well.”

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.