Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: Regular Usyk sparring partner makes prediction

On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven is set to headline a Ring Magazine fight card for Usyk’s lineal/WBC heavyweight title. The entire card will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View. Viktor Jurk, a regular sparring partner of Usyk, has broken down the fight and revealed his prediction to The Ring Magazine.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven set for Egypt clash on May 23

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will fight for the first time this year against Verhoeven. He was last seen in action, stopping Daniel Dubois in their rematch. That win saw Usyk become the undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time.

Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) is a decorated kickboxer, but has only fought once in professional boxing, a stoppage win against Janos Finfera.

Viktor Jurk predicts Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven

Looking ahead to Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven:

“This is a different sport to kickboxing,” Jurk said. “Maybe Verhoeven has some power, but so did Ngannou. He was a strong man, but AJ was a strong man who understands how to box. Look what happened there. I think Usyk should win in the first couple of rounds. Maybe it will go a few more rounds, but it will end when Usyk wants it to. 

“I think he will knock him out properly, like the way he knocked out Tony Bellew. He will tire him out, then catch him. I don’t see him overlooking this fight because he has too much to lose. There is talk about a third fight with Fury and that’s a nine-figure fight again. That’s a huge thing for him, so he cannot afford to lose this one.”

Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven full fight card

• Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for lineal/WBC heavyweight title
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO super middleweight title
• Shakhram Giyasov vs Jack Catterall, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
• Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr., 12 rounds, IBF heavyweight eliminator
• Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s super flyweight title
• Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
• Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
• Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax, 4 rounds, lightweights
• Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya vs Michael Kalyala, 4 rounds, middleweights
• Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma, 4 rounds, welterweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.