Ukrainian boxing superstar Oleksandr Usyk, aged 39, is preparing for his comeback in May, where he will defend his WBC heavyweight title in Egypt. His opponent is none other than Rico Verhoeven, a well-known kickboxing legend from the Netherlands, which has surprised many in the boxing community. Although Usyk holds three championship belts, the WBA and IBF titles will not be on the line in this bout.

Rico Verhoeven, 36, is recognized as one of the most dominant kickboxers of all time, standing at 196 cm tall and weighing over 120 kg. He has an impressive kickboxing record with 66 wins, including 21 by knockout. However, his experience in professional boxing is limited, with only one professional match under his belt in 2014, where he won by knockout. He has also trained with heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, which provides him with some level of experience in the boxing arena, albeit minimal compared to Usyk.

Usyk expressed confidence regarding his upcoming fight against Verhoeven, stating his respect for the kickboxer's journey and recognition as the king of kickboxing. This matchup sparks curiosity and discussion amongst fans as it represents a crossover between two combat sports, highlighting the growing trend of such events in modern boxing.