Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven prediction, odds, pick for ‘Glory in Giza’ Boxing

Boxing history will be made once again as The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt will serve as the one-of-a-kind backdrop for yet another boxing superfight. Current Champion Oleksandr Usyk will put his WBC Heavyweight belt on the line against the greatest kickboxer of all-time Rico Verhoeven. Check our Boxing odds series for the Usyk-Verhoeven prediction and pick.

Oleksandr Usyk (24-0) comes into this bout following his most recent knockout over Daniel Dubois (RD5) to earn the title of undisputed heavyweight champion. It’s his second time beating Dubois as he’s now handed two losses to Dubois, Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury. He puts his WBC belt on the line against a newcomer to pure boxing in this superfight. Usyk stands 6-foot-3 with a 78-inch reach.

Rico Verhoeven (1-0 Boxing, 66-10 Kickboxing) will make his second boxing appearance in over 12 years after a debut win in 2014. Since that time, he’s gone on to serve as Glory Kickboxing’s longest-reigning heavyweight champion of all-time, winning 22-straight fights and defended his title 12 total times. He makes the natural switch into pure boxing against the pound-for-pound best talent in the sport at the moment. Verhoeven stands 6-foot-5 with an 83-inch reach.

DAZN Boxing Odds, courtesy of FanDuel

Boxing Odds: Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven Odds

Oleksandr Usyk: -3000

Rico Verhoeven: +1360

Over 5.5 rounds: -102

Under 5.5 rounds: -130

Why Oleksandr Usyk Will Win

There isn’t much left for debate to argue that Oleksandr Usyk isn’t the best boxer on the planet and he’s fringing on the shortlist as the greatest heavyweight of all time. One may ask why an undefeated champion would put his belt on the line against a newcomer to the sport – while a massive payday is certainly in line, Usyk has basically cleaned out all the worthy heavyweight talent in boxing and is clearly focused on entertaining superfights like this. It gives him an opportunity to focus on a new challenge, which is what ultimately keeps his boxing skills so sharp in the interim.

Usyk is clearly at the top of his game and his last knockout over Daniel Dubois with his left hook was a thing of beauty. As a fighter, he’s the perfect combination of power and finesse, his movement serving as one of the highlights of his game. Remaining light on his feet, his movement is unusual for a heavyweight and he’s become a defensive master against some of the most dangerous punches on the planet.

During this fight, Usyk will once again use movement and cardio to his advantage. The bout is scheduled for 12-rounds and I expect Usyk to take his time in dissecting his opponents’ boxing game. Usyk is also a master of accuracy and will wait for perfect openings to land opportune shots, so expect Verhoeven to certainly take some clean punches throughout each round of this fight.

Why Rico Verhoeven Will Win

Rico Verhoeven is widely considered the greatest kickboxer of all-time, serving as the heavyweight champion in the world’s premier organization, Glory Kickboxing. The Dutch talent most recently posted back-to-back title defenses over Levi Rigters and Artem Vakhitov, the last fight coming in June 2025. Following a brief break from the sport while also seeking a new challenge, Verhoeven will undoubtedly face one of the most difficult opponents of his career.

While kickboxing and boxing inherently go hand-in-hand, the undeniable usage of kicks and your lower half is missing for Verhoeven in this particular ring. Standing at 6-foot-5, his arm and leg reach is something he effectively exploits over most opponents, but he’ll solely have to rely on his reach in this fight. Still, he’s an exceptional power puncher and it’ll be interesting to see him getting used to the bigger gloves of boxing once again.

While Verhoeven’s boxing movement will pale in comparison to Usyk’s, his ability to slip punches in the pocket and counter could be an effective tool throughout this one. He’s been known for his durable chin throughout his career and it won’t be easy to break him to a knee early, but expect Verhoeven to land his own shots in the process if these two keep a close distance.

Final Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven Prediction & Pick

Rico Verhoeven will have a puncher’s chance as the underdog here thanks to his kickboxing experience, but the reality is that he’s stepping into Oleksandr Usyk’s world of 12 rounds in a boxing ring. I expect Usyk to slowly calculate and measure Verhoeven throughout the opening rounds, gauging his in-fight timing after likely already watching a ton of film on him.

Verhoeven will be most dangerous during the opening rounds where he’s unpredictable, but expect Usyk to quickly diagnose his movement and find the openings in his defense, especially with the shot to the body.

In what should be a great spectacle on DAZN, expect Oleksandr Usyk to put together another masterclass and have a chance at finishing this fight in the later rounds.

Final Oleksandr Usyk-Rico Verhoeven Prediction & Pick: Oleksandr Usyk (-3000); OVER 5.5 Rounds (-102)

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