Usyk vs. Verhoeven: Egypt Heavyweight Title Predictions

Oleksandr Usyk is a three-time undisputed world champion across two weight classes and is widely regarded as one of the best heavyweights of all time, certainly of his generation.

The Ukrainian superstar returns to action for the first time since July of last year on Saturday in a unique event, as he faces Rico Verhoeven at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Usyk holds the WBA, IBF and WBC heavyweight titles, but Verhoeven can only take the latter if he triumphs.

Usyk has cleared out the heavyweight division but Verhoeven is a different kind of test. The Dutchman is known as the ‘King of Kickboxing’ and is considered to be one of the greatest kickboxers of all time, but he has only ever contested one previous boxing bout and that came against Janos Finfera, a journeyman who retired with a 0-6 record, over 10 years ago.

The fight card is due to begin at 1pm ET and ringwalks for the main event are due to start at 5.48pm ET.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven betting tips and predictions

Oleksandr Usyk to win by KO, TKO or DQ (-400)

On paper, this fight is a complete mismatch and Usyk comes into the bout as an overwhelming favorite.

Since turning professional in 2013 after an incredible amateur career - capped off with an Olympic gold medal - he has amassed a 24-0 record.

Usyk dominated the cruiserweight division and became the undisputed champion before stepping up to heavyweight, where he has twice held all the belts.

The 39-year-old has beaten Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, taking out all three twice, and in comparison Verhoeven is a novice in this discipline.

The Dutchman clearly knows how to fight - he holds the record for the longest reign as heavyweight champion of GLORY and has a 76-10 record in that sport, with 66 wins by knockout. The question is, can he box?

A lot of Verhoeven’s stoppages have come with his hands, he also has a solid jab and has Peter Fury as his trainer for this fight so he might provide Usyk with a bit more of a test than the odds suggest.

However, Usyk has faced fighters with power before, such as Dubois and Joshua, and he’s managed to outbox superb technicians such as Tyson Fury, who also had significant reach and height advantages, and Mairis Briedis.

He should be able to handle anything Verhoeven does have in his locker, and ultimately anything other than a Usyk stoppage would be a huge shock.

Usyk doesn’t necessarily carry huge power himself but he has all the tools and skills to systematically break down Verhoeven and force an early finish, either through pure volume of shots that connect or one or two power punches that do land.

Oleksandr Usyk to win in rounds 5-8 (+175)

A Usyk stoppage is expected and the middle rounds look a reasonable point where this contest might come to an end.

Usyk should be levels above Verhoeven and if he really wanted to he could get the job done inside a round or two, but that isn’t the way he approaches his fights.

The elite southpaw is a master of the craft of boxing and will spend the early exchanges getting the measure of Verhoeven before launching more sustained attacks. 

Usyk has never won a fight before the third round in the professional ranks, even in his first couple of fights against a lower level of opposition.

Verhoeven is a tough and durable fighter who is a supreme athlete, he should be able to survive the first four or five rounds but from that point on expect Usyk to force a stoppage before the fight reaches the latter stages.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven: Egypt Heavyweight Title Fight Odds

	Oleksandr Usyk	Rico Verhoeven
Money Line	-1800	+800
By Decision or Technical Decision	+375	+2200
By KO, TKO or DQ	-400	+1600

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.