World Boxing News spoke to three heavyweights who sacrificed themselves in the WBC rankings to give Rico Verhoeven his due for pushing Oleksandr Usyk to the eleventh round.

The Dutch kickboxing superstar debuted at number eight in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, despite having only boxed twice as a professional.

The decision pushed several established contenders down the list, including undefeated Ukrainian Andrii Novytskyi, European champion Labinot Xhoxhaj and Italian challenger Guido Vianello.

“It’s My Time”

After Verhoeven’s arrival, Novytskyi dropped to twelfth place.

The 30-year-old Ukrainian is undefeated with a record of 16-0 and 12 knockouts, and gained momentum thanks to victories over Alexander Flores and David Zegarra.

When asked about Verhoeven’s ranking, Nowycki told WBN: “I think it’s my time to fight Rico.”

“Number Eight Is Crazy”

Vianello was even more candid.

The Italian heavyweight, who has wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Alexis Barriere, questions Verhoeven’s position while praising his performance against Usyk.

“Rico eighth in the WBC rankings is crazy!” Vianello told World Boxing News.

“I can fight him wherever and whenever he wants.

“In the match against Usyk, he deserved to continue the fight for another round and not be stopped.

“Now he can fight me.”

Vianello became the first ranked heavyweight to openly question Verhoeven’s stance while also volunteering to fight him.

Many observers felt the Dutchman had exceeded expectations in Egypt. Others are not convinced that a single professional defeat should give him an advantage over established rivals.

Ready for anything

In the latest rankings, Xhoxhaj ranks lower than Verhoeven, even though he holds the European heavyweight title.

The Kosovo-born contender, who boasts a record of 22-0-1 and 17 knockouts, has made it clear that he is open to any opportunity that comes his way.

“I’m prepared for anything, whether it’s Rico Verhoeven or not,” Xhoxhaj told WBN.

Next move

It’s clear from the comments that all three men currently ranked below Verhoeven would welcome the opportunity to test the former GLORY champion.

The WBC has already praised Verhoeven’s performance in the fight against Usyk, while BoxRec assessed his place among heavyweight contenders in a much less favorable manner.

All three will face Verhoeven in the blink of an eye.

It remains debatable whether Rico will risk losing to another challenger ahead of his proposed rematch with Usyk.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

Katie Taylor’s swan song opponent in Croke Park has left many scratching their heads wondering who exactly is Flora Pili?

The 82,300-capacity stadium has been confirmed as the host venue as Taylor looks to reclaim her undisputed super lightweight crown on September 5 in Croke Park, Dublin.

The Irish phenom currently holds the IBF, WBO and WBA world titles, but as a “retired” WBC champion, she will also face Pili for the full green and gold belts.

This is because Sandy Ryan, currently the WBC champion on hiatus, will take a break from the sport during her pregnancy, giving Taylor a chance to become a three-time undisputed champion.

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old’s way to a successful farewell fight is Pili, who represents a somewhat unexpected opponent of one of the all-time greats.

Was Flora Pili a successful amateur?

Most importantly, Pili became a French youth champion and won the senior national title in 2015 and 2019 respectively, and also competed in several international tournaments during her amateur career.

Interestingly, she fought in the international round-robin tournament in Dublin, only to lose in 2017 to extremely talented amateurs Kellie Harrington and Irma Testa.

Pili also lost to Lucy Wildheart during her free campaign, only it was in 2016 and could not be used as ammunition against her professional credibility.

What are Flora Pili’s professional accolades?

Pili boasts a professional record of 12-0 (2 KOs), but most of her appearances have come against constrained opposition, at least compared to the level at which Taylor competed.

However, she overcame a split decision against Silvia Bortot to win the 2023 European title, and her last outing resulted in a majority points win over Jelena Janicijevic in December for the IBO belt.

Where does Flora Pili rank among the sanctioning bodies?

Pili is a top contender in both the WBC and IBF, while the WBA ranks her No. 4 in the super lightweight rankings.

The 28-year-old has clearly earned her high places in the rankings, overtaking Janicijevic, who showed a great performance in the 10-round fight.

On Saturday, June 6, Zuffa Boxing will host its first event on British soil, when former cruiserweight world champion Chris Billam-Smith will face Canadian Ryan Rozicki at the Bournemouth International Centre. The card, billed as Zuffa Boxing 07, airs live Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and streaming on Paramount+ in the United States and Canada. The main card starts at 7 p.m., with walk-ins scheduled for the main event at around 10 p.m.

The event is the first UK edition of Zuffa Boxing, a promotion created by TKO Group Holdings and Saudi entertainment company Sela and run by Dana White, Nick Khan and General Entertainment Authority CEO Turki Alalshikh. according to ESPN. This follows a multi-year broadcasting deal between Zuffa and Sky Sports announced in March.

Main event

Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) returns to his hometown for his first fight in over a year. The Bournemouth fighter held the WBO cruiserweight title in 2023 and 2024 before losing it, and has fought at the Bournemouth International Center several times before. He is coached by Shane McGuigan, who stated in promotional materials released for the card that Billam-Smith is constantly improving. Billam-Smith also said a future meeting with cruiserweight champion Zuffa Jai ​​Opetaia influenced his decision to sign with the promotion, telling Sky Sports the fight “will definitely happen.”

Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO), of Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia, has one of the highest strike rates on the card. He has been a professional since 2016 and his record since 2016 is 8-0-1 with seven knockouts, with 18 of his stoppages coming within three rounds. The cruiserweight fight is scheduled for 10 rounds.

Cooperation and fight in the heavyweight division

In a 10-round cruiserweight fight, Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KO) will face Chev Clarke (11-2, 8 KO). In the preliminary stage of the gala, the return of two-time Olympic bronze medalist from Kazakhstan Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO) heavyweight against undefeated Briton Harvey Dykes (7-0-1). The 180 cm elevated Dychko is fighting for the first time since his defeat to Jermaine Franklin in September 2025. Dykes turned professional in 2023 after winning super heavyweight gold at the English National Amateur Championships.

British signatures to the bill

The card also features several recent Zuffa signings making their debuts with the organization, including Scotland’s Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO), welterweight Alex MacMillan (3-0, 2 KO) and lightweight heavyweight Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO). Hickey won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as an amateur and turned professional under the guidance of Team GB performance director Rob McCracken.

Full card

• Chris Billam-Smith (21-2, 13 KO) vs. Ryan Rozicki (21-1-1, 20 KO), cruiserweight, 10 rounds
• Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KO) vs. Chev Clarke (11-2, 8 KO), cruiserweight, 10 rounds
• Lee Cutler (15-2, 7 KO) vs. Aaron Sutton (19-2, 3 KO), middleweight, 10 rounds
• Stevie McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) vs. Casey James Streeter (15-3-2, 6 KO), middleweight, 8 rounds
• Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO) vs. Todd Tompkins (4-0), middleweight, 6 rounds
• Harvey Dykes (7-0-1) vs Ivan Dychko (15-1, 14 KO), heavyweight, 10 rounds
• Leon Hughes (4-0, 3 KO) vs. Mario Vergiev (8-4, 5 KO), lightweight heavyweight, 6 rounds
• Alex MacMillan (3-0, 2 KO) vs. Tyler Rivers (6-3), welterweight, 6 rounds

The three-fight preliminary card begins at 5 p.m., with the main card following at 7 p.m.