This weekend at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven clash in one of the strangest heavyweight title fights in modern boxing history.
Usyk enters the ring as a former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion, undefeated in 24 fights. He is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of this era. Verhoeven, though he is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time, has had just one professional boxing bout.
It is no surprise that the reigning champion is an extreme favourite, but can the Peter Fury-trained kickboxer from the Netherlands actually win? Here are the key questions if the unthinkable happens, and Verhoeven manages to shake up the heavyweight division like never before.
Does Verhoeven become the heavyweight champion?
Verhoeven will become the world heavyweight champion if he beats Usyk, claiming the WBC belt, which is controversially on the line. He will not, however, immediately become unified, despite the Ukrainian also holding the IBF and WBA titles.
Each sanctioning body has taken a different stance on the fight. The WBC is backing the contest fully, much to the disapproval of fans, analysts, and contenders. The WBA will count Usyk winning as a successful defence, but a loss will see the championship committee convene to decide the next steps. Verhoeven will not be crowned champion in the ring because he is not currently ranked with the organisation.
Similarly, the IBF has granted Usyk a special exception to take the bout. If he loses, however, the belt will be declared vacant immediately.
Where does Usyk go?
There have been no reports or indications of a rematch clause, though a second fight may be the case even if it is not contracted. In truth, there would not be a huge host of other options on the table for the great Ukrainian, who is such a heavy favourite that a defeat would not only dramatically alter the landscape of the division, but affect his legacy.
Fights with top contenders like Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma would lose significant interest without belts on the line. Retirement would therefore be a serious consideration – at 39 years old, the southpaw wants three more fights, but that could well be shortened to one.
Who benefits most?
Outside of Verhoeven, there are a number of top-ranked heavyweights in the division who would benefit almost immediately. WBA Regular Champion Murat Gassiev could see himself upgraded to full champion, and the winner of Richard Torrez Jr vs Frank Sanchez, which takes place on the undercard as an IBF final eliminator, would be first in line to fight for the vacant IBF belt.
WBC mandatory challenger Kabayel could push for a fight against Verhoeven, as he is currently ordered to face Usyk next. Young Itauma is also in prime position with a number of the sanctioning bodies, meaning his route to a world title could accelerate dramatically.
Finally, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury could see their signed end-of-year clash gain even greater significance, with promoters and sanctioning bodies potentially manoeuvring a vacant belt or top ranking into the picture.
Would it be the biggest upset in heavyweight history?
In terms of odds, there have been bigger outsiders than Verhoeven, but taking into account absurdity, Usyk’s legacy, and Verhoeven’s inexperience, it probably would be.
There will always be Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson, Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall stunning Lennox Lewis, and even Andy Ruiz Jr stopping Anthony Joshua in more recent times. Crucially, however, these were all established pros beating established pros. The main event on Saturday is a different scenario entirely.
