Connect with us

UK Boxing

Oleksandr Usyk announces a shock fight with a kickboxer

Published

on

Usyk knocked out Dubois in five rounds. Photo: Photo credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

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.

“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.

Usyk knocked out Dubois in five rounds. Photo: Photo credit: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

“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.

Verhoeven is a former undisputed kickboxing champion. Photo: @ricoverhoeven Instagram
Verhoeven is a former undisputed kickboxing champion. Photo: @ricoverhoeven Instagram

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.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

UK Boxing

Tyson Fury’s family dispute breaks out just hours before his 16-year-old daughter’s wedding

Published

on

Venezuela Fury and Noah Price will get married next weekend (Photo: Instagram: @venezuelafuryofficial)

Tyson Fury’s 16-year-old daughter Venezuela is set to marry her partner Noah Price this weekend, although the couple’s special day risks being overshadowed by the bitter rift that has torn through her family. The teenager, the eldest daughter of the two-time heavyweight boxing champion, became engaged to 19-year-old Noah last year on her 16th birthday.

The couple is scheduled to exchange vows on Saturday, and Venezuela enthusiastically documented their final wedding preparations for their social media followers earlier this week. However, preparations for the ceremony did not go smoothly as her father, Tyson, and grandfather, John, had a major argument earlier this year, with the latter expressing his concerns about his granddaughter getting married at such a teenage age.

In a veiled warning to Venezuela, the outspoken 60-year-old revealed he was surprised by the news of her engagement before sharing his worries about Tyson and his younger son, Tommy, during an appearance on a recently broadcast program Netflix series At Home with the Furies.

While Tyson defended amateur boxer Noah as a “decent guy”, an furious John questioned whether his granddaughter should be getting married at such a teenage age.

“These are children!” – he said. “I don’t think she’s mature enough for something like this – she’s still a child. A 15-year-old under my care should never have a boyfriend, ever.”

While the decision to allow their daughter to marry at the age of 16 has sparked public debate, the Furys have stood by her, with her mother Paris recently telling This Morning that the teenager is “so mature for her age”.

“She’s done so much in such a tiny amount of time just because of who she is and the fact that she has six younger siblings that she helped raise, I can’t deny that,” Paris said.

“I can’t say no to her because I got engaged when I was 17. She’s clearly following in my footsteps, so how can I judge her in any way.

“I know she’s teenage. But I think she’s found the person she loves and if she’s joyful, I’ll support her completely.”

Venezuela Fury with mom Paris.

Venezuela Fury with mom Paris. (Photo: Getty Images)

It is unclear whether John will attend Saturday’s wedding, having refused to attend Tyson’s fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov last month after revealing the pair were no longer on speaking terms.

John revealed that his once close bond with his son had been “totally destroyed” by boxing, even going so far as to refuse to watch “The Gypsy King” return to the ring.

A major factor in the rift was Tyson’s decision to come out of retirement for a fifth time and face Makhmudov, with the boxer admitting that his father had urged him to hang up the gloves six years ago after his first victory over Deontay Wilder.

“I think he’s concerned,” Tyson told Good Morning Britain. “When it comes to your children, when they are your close relatives or whatever, I think you worry a lot about that person.

“He has his own opinion and he doesn’t want me to do it – he never wanted me to do it in the last six years.”

Asked if his father would attend his fight with Makhmudov, Tyson replied: “Possibly. But he didn’t come to the Usyk II fight, so I’m not holding my breath.

“My dad will do what my dad will do. He’s his own man and there’s nothing I can do about it. If he shows up, it’ll be great, and if he doesn’t, that’s great too.”

Continue Reading

UK Boxing

Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright 2 – Large Fight Preview and Predictions

Published

on

Davis' 2023 win over Albright was deemed uncontested Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Keyshawn Davis returns to the ring in Saturday’s rematch with Nahir Albright in Norfolk.

Davis will face Albright at the Scope Arena and it will be the first Top Rank card on DAZN.

Davis (14-0, 10 KO) won the pair’s first fight, but later tested positive for marijuana and the fight was declared a no-contest.

“The Businessman” was making waves after winning the WBO lightweight title, but his progress was curtailed after he missed weight in his scheduled first defense against Edwin De Los Santos.

The 27-year-old lost his belt on weight and his fight with De Los Santos was shelved.

Davis’ 2023 win over Albright was deemed uncontested Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

The home favorite returned after an almost year-long break with a last-round stoppage over Jamain Ortiz in his super lightweight debut in January.

Albright (17-2-1, 7 KO) is 1-1 since his first match against Davis, securing an upset victory over Keyshawn’s older brother Kelvin before drawing to a draw with Frank Martin in February.

Davis and Albright face-to-face at Thursday's press conference. Photo: Top Rank
Davis and Albright face-to-face at Thursday’s news conference. Photo: Top Rank

The 30-year-old was involved in an altercation with Davis following his victory over his brother last June.

Norman Jr returns after losing Haney

Former welterweight world champion Brian Norman Jr looks to get back to winning ways when he faces Josh Wagner.

Norman Jr (28-1, 22 KO) lost the WBO belt in a comprehensive fight lost by unanimous decision to Devin Haney in November and has since changed his training setup, joining world-renowned trainer Ronnie Shields.

Norman Jr was beaten by Haney in November. Photo: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Norman Jr was beaten by Haney in November. Photo: Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

Canadian Wagner (19-2, 10 KO) lost every round to Harlem Eubank in his last appearance in November.

Davis fights Dobson

Kelvin Davis hopes to bounce back from his first professional loss to the aforementioned Albright when he faces Peter Dobson in a welterweight bout.

Davis (15-1, 8 KO) suffered a majority defeat to Albright, and Dobson (17-3, 10 KO) ended a three-fight losing streak, including to Conor Benn, by knocking out Jorge Humberto Rodriguez Regaldo in the first round.

Nahir Albright upset Kelvin Davis last June. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Nahir Albright upset Kelvin Davis last June. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Undercard remaining

Undefeated featherweight Yan Santana (16-0, 13 KO) may be getting closer to his maiden world title, winning the WBO NABO crown after a points victory over Cristian Cruz Chacon (24-7-2, 12 KO)

Keon Davis (4-0, 3 KO), the younger brother of Keyshawn and Kelvin, can extend his undefeated decision streak with a victory over Edwine Humaine Jr. (9-2, 7 KO) in the super welterweight division.

Dedrick Crockem (6-0, 3 KO) may also need distance to beat Eric Howard (7-4, 2 KO) in the super featherweight division.

The post Keyshawn Davis vs. Nahir Albright 2 – Large Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

Continue Reading

UK Boxing

Comparison of Tyson Fury’s net worth with Anthony Joshua’s net worth as much richer

Published

on

While the so-called “Battle of Britain” will decide who dominates the ring, the battle for bank balance has already been decided. Despite being at the top of the heavyweight division for most of the last decade, Fury notes that he lags significantly behind AJ in terms of personal wealth.

According to the 2026 Sunday Times Prosperous List, Joshua’s net worth is £240 million, while Fury lags slightly behind at £162 million.

The figure represents a significant jump for Joshua, who was valued at £195 million just twelve months earlier. Much of this rise is attributed to his high-profile fight against Jake Paul in December, which is estimated to have earned him a staggering £70 million.

As a result, he is currently third on the list of the richest dynamic British athletes, behind Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton (£435 million) and golf icon Rory McIlroy (£325 million).

The foundation of Joshua’s fortune is his carefully crafted personal brand. While Fury has long marketed himself as an everyman figure, Joshua has constructed his public image more like a huge corporation than a professional fighter.

AJ’s portfolio is full of profitable, long-term partnerships with premium brands including Under Armor, Hugo Boss and Land Rover.

Combined with the enormous sums accumulated over the course of his career, most notably from his two fights with Oleksandr Usyk and his devastating knockout triumph over Francis Ngannou, these agreements helped him balloon his fortune to staggering proportions.

Fury’s earnings are no less striking, although they come from fight funds rather than commercial revenues. The Gypsy King is reported to have earned around £42 million from his trilogy with Deontay Wilder, with his two spectacular clashes with Usyk in 2024 bringing in well over £150 million.

In the broader context of British sport, both players are now among the country’s financial elite. They easily overtake names such as Harry Kane and Andy Murray, who boast an estimated fortune of around £110 million, making them among the richest people in the country.

Fury could yet make up for that gap with another record payday later this year. But for now, Joshua remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of the balance sheet.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending