Boxer Usyk called Verhoeven the king of kickboxing

Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usyk praised his future opponent, the Dutchman Rico Verhoeven. This was reported by Ring magazine on February 28.

"I respect his way — he's the real king of kickboxing," Usyk said.

However, Usyk noted that in boxing "there are other rules and other kings." He also stated that he sincerely respects people who reach the very top in their sport.

"Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That's the challenge that motivated me. Indisputable versus indisputable. The best against the best," Verhoeven replied.

The fight between Usyk and Verhoeven for the WBC World champion belt will take place on May 23. The fight will take place in Egypt, near the pyramids of Giza.

Usyk holds the WBA, WBC and WBF belts. In November, the athlete relinquished the WBO belt, ceasing to be the absolute world champion. He fought 24 fights in the professional ring, without suffering a single defeat and winning 15 victories by knockout. The 36-year-old Verhoeven has one professional boxing match, which he won by knockout. Previously, he was the Glory World kickboxing champion for over 11 years.

Sports weekend with Izvestia

The Channel One Hockey Cup, the return of Russian skiers to the World Cup, the finals of the World Boxing Championship and other events

On February 14, 26-year-old Russian boxer Vartan Harutyunyan won the title of interim world champion according to the World Boxing Association (WBA), determined among athletes in the weight category up to 101.7 kg. The corresponding result was achieved after the 12-round match, which took place on February 14 in Chelyabinsk. During the competition, Harutyunyan defeated 33-year-old compatriot Georgy Yunovidov by technical knockout in the sixth round.

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