UK Boxing
Oleksandr Usyk announces a shock fight with a kickboxer
On May 23 in Egypt, Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight world title against former kickboxing world champion Rico Verhoeven.
Usyk received a voluntary defense of his WBC title and decided to face Verhoeven in the Pyramids of Giza during a gala organized by Ring magazine.
36-year-old Verhoeven will fight as a professional boxer for the first time in 12 years and will face the Ukrainian champion for the second time in his career.
The Dutchman is not even in the top fifteen of the WBC rankings, but he got his maiden title fight.
Usyk then became the undisputed heavyweight champion twice he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the rematch in July at Wembley Stadium, but relinquished the WBO belt now held by Fabio Wardley.
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“I really respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” said the 39-year-old.
“Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and a great champion.
“Being a champion is not just about belts. It is about years of strenuous work, discipline and faith.
“I respect his journey – he is the true king of kickboxing. But this is boxing – a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.
“I’m ready and I can’t wait to meet him in the ring.
“It’s going to be a special experience for both of us and I know the fans are excited too. A gigantic night is coming!”
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has already confirmed that he will force the undefeated southern champion to face WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel after the fight with the Dutchman.
Returning former world champion, Tyson Fury he has already called for a third fight with Usyk ahead of his return to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11.
Verhoeven was linked with a February clash with Anthony Joshua, but plans were scuppered after the former two-time heavyweight champion was involved in an accident in Nigeria in December that killed two of his close friends.
“I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and achieved everything I wanted to achieve,” Verhoeven said.
“But staying at the top for so long didn’t eliminate the hunger, it actually made it stronger.
“I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I looked for the ultimate challenge available in another world.
“Usyk is undisputed in boxing.
“It’s the kind of challenge that motivates me.
“Undisputed versus undisputed. The best against the best.”
The post Oleksandr Usyk announcing a shock fight with a kickboxer appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
UK Boxing
Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)
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June 30, 2026
Re: Official Negotiation Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship Contest – Devin
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UPCOMING FIGHTS
JR. WEIGHT Championship
Bermudas
VS
Osorio
Osorio Won R
JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
Zayas
VS
Ennis
Ennis won R7
WEIGHT Championship
with Olascua
VS
Dominguez
R won
JR. BANTAM WEIGHT Championship
BANTAM WEIGHT Championship
Johnson
VS
Thorslund
R won
JR. INTERMEDIATE WEIGHT Championship
AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
Robinson
VS
Thibeault
R won
JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship
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The official record holder
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
- Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
- Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
- Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
- Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
- Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
- Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
- Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
- Win in round 1: 100/1
- Win in round 2: 100/1
- Win in round 3: 100/1
- Win in round 4: 100/1
- Win in round 5: 100/1
- To win in round 6: 100/1
- To win in round 7: 80/1
- To win in round 8: 80/1
- To win round 9: 66/1
- To win in round 10: 66/1
- To win round 11: 66/1
- To win in round 12: 80/1
- To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Jaron Ennis
- To win round 1: 80/1
- Win in round 2: 50/1
- Win in round 3: 40/1
- To win in round 4: 28/1
- To win in round 5: 20/1
- To win in round 6: 16/1
- Win in round 7: 12/12
- To win in round 8: 1/11
- To win in round 9: 10/1
- To win in round 10: 10/1
- To win in round 11: 10/1
- To win in round 12: 1/11
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
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The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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