--- title: "Verhoeven wants Usyk rematch: money fight or sideshow?" description: "Kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven is pushing for a boxing rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, but the heavyweight division has real mandatories waiting in the wings." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/verhoeven-calls-for-immediate-usyk-rematch-but-does-he-dese-c5e8cc0b published: 2026-07-01T13:50:30.263+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T13:50:30.263+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["boxing"] --- # Verhoeven wants Usyk rematch: money fight or sideshow? > Kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven is pushing for a boxing rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, but the heavyweight division has real mandatories waiting in the wings. Rico Verhoeven is openly campaigning for a boxing rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, framing it as a legitimate super-fight that would test his skills against the pound-for-pound great. Verhoeven, the kickboxing king and former Glory Heavyweight champion, has spent months publicly calling out Usyk, a two-division boxing world champion. The kickboxer’s push is rooted in promotion: he wants to elevate his profile by stepping into the ring with one of the sport’s most dominant fighters. Verhoeven’s camp has argued that a rematch—after their controversial 2022 exhibition—would draw massive attention, blending kickboxing and boxing audiences. The 2022 session, billed as an exhibition but fought under boxing rules, ended in a majority draw, leaving both camps with unfinished business and Verhoeven convinced he belongs in the heavyweight conversation. But Usyk’s team faces a far more pressing reality: mandatory title defenses. The WBC ranks Agit Kabayel as Usyk’s mandatory challenger, a fighter with a 23-2 record and a legitimate claim to a shot at the heavyweight throne. Kabayel has been waiting since Usyk unified the titles in 2021, and his camp has made it clear they expect their opportunity. The WBC has already signaled that Usyk cannot indefinitely postpone his mandatory obligations without risking sanctions. The governing body’s rules are clear: rank-and-file contenders like Kabayel have earned their shot through consistent performances, not promotional stunts. Verhoeven’s push has drawn mixed reactions. Promoters and pundits are split: some see it as a rare crossover spectacle that could reinvigorate the heavyweight division, while others dismiss it as promotional noise that distracts from the sport’s core. Usyk’s promoter, Egis Klimas, has not publicly committed to the rematch but has acknowledged the kickboxer’s ambition. Meanwhile, Kabayel’s team has stayed quiet, focusing on preparing for the opportunity they believe is rightfully theirs. The silence from Kabayel’s camp is strategic: they know the value of patience in a sport where patience is often rewarded with title shots. The economics of the fight game add another layer to the debate. A Verhoeven-Usyk rematch would generate significant pay-per-view interest, particularly in Europe and the U.S., where crossover fights have drawn big numbers in the past. However, the division’s traditionalists argue that Usyk’s time is better spent defending against Kabayel, a fighter who has paid his dues and deserves the shot. The risk of a sideshow fight is real: if Usyk loses to a non-mandatory challenger, the heavyweight landscape could be thrown into chaos, with rankings and credibility taking a hit. What’s next: Usyk’s team has a decision to make—and soon. The WBC’s patience is not infinite, and Kabayel’s camp is prepared to escalate if Usyk continues to sidestep his mandatory obligations. If the rematch happens, it would be a high-risk, high-reward spectacle, but one that could further erode the division’s credibility. If Usyk honors his mandatories, the heavyweight landscape will reset, with Kabayel next in line and Verhoeven left to chase his next big payday elsewhere. The clock is ticking. The WBC’s sanctioning committee has already sent warnings to Usyk’s team about the mandatory defense. If Usyk chooses the Verhoeven route, the governing body could impose financial penalties or even strip the title, leaving the division in uncharted territory. For Verhoeven, the fight represents his best shot at a career-defining payday. For Usyk, it’s a gamble that could either burnish his legacy or expose him to unnecessary risk. ## Why this matters Oleksandr Usyk’s next move will shape the heavyweight landscape for years. Rico Verhoeven’s push for a rematch forces a debate: should promotional hype override mandatory title defenses? The division’s credibility hangs in the balance as Agit Kabayel waits in the wings for his shot at the pound-for-pound great. A sideshow fight would undermine the sport’s hierarchy, while a mandatory defense would restore order—and potentially set up a unification bout that finally silences the critics. ## Frequently asked ### Why is Rico Verhoeven pushing for a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk? Verhoeven, the kickboxing king, is campaigning loudly for a boxing crossover spectacle with Usyk. He wants to test his skills against the pound-for-pound great, framing it as a legitimate super-fight to elevate his profile. ### Who are the mandatory challengers for Oleksandr Usyk’s next fight? Usyk’s mandatory next is Agit Kabayel, ranked by the WBC as his top contender. Kabayel has been waiting for his shot and represents the sporting merit Usyk’s team must prioritize. ### Is a Verhoeven-Usyk rematch a money fight or a sideshow? Verhoeven’s push is heavy on promotion but light on sporting merit. The heavyweight division thrives on legitimate mandatories like Kabayel, not exhibition-style crossovers that sideline real title defenses. ### What does Usyk gain from a Verhoeven fight? A win over Verhoeven would further cement Usyk’s legacy, but the risk is minimal. The bigger question is whether he should bypass mandatories for a spectacle that boosts Verhoeven’s profile more than his own. ### How would a Verhoeven-Usyk rematch impact the heavyweight division? It could delay Usyk’s mandatory title defenses, creating a ripple effect where contenders like Kabayel are sidelined. The division’s credibility suffers when promotional hype trumps sporting merit. ### What’s the timeline for Usyk’s next fight? Usyk’s team has not confirmed a next opponent. The clock is ticking on Kabayel’s mandatory status, and any delay risks stripping the WBC of its ability to enforce its rankings. ## Sources & Citations - [Verhoeven calls for immediate Usyk rematch, but does he deserve it?](https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/13555786/oleksandr-usyks-next-fight-rico-verhoeven-calls-for-immediate-rematch-as-agit-kabayel-waits-for-mandatory-shot) — NewsData.io (2026-06-20) --- Cite: Verhoeven wants Usyk rematch: money fight or sideshow?. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/verhoeven-calls-for-immediate-usyk-rematch-but-does-he-dese-c5e8cc0b