Oleksandr Usyk makes the latest defence of his heavyweight world titles against a fighter in Rico Verhoeven better known for his kickboxing expertise.
Usyk clashes with Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday, live on DAZN.
The Ukrainian great has won the undisputed crown three times and in two different weight classes, but his decision to face novice heavyweight, Verhoeven and leave deserving contenders like Agit Kabayel in the wings has caused a stir.
Verhoeven fights for just the second time as a professional boxer, with his last bout almost 12 years ago in a second round knockout of Janos Finfera.
The ex-kickboxing world champion has his friendship with Hollywood actor Jason Statham to thank for this weekend’s shot at the pound-for-pound great.
Statham pitched the 37-year-old Dutchman as a potential opponent to Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh in September.
Alalshikh was quickly on board and a showdown with Anthony Joshua was all but a done deal for March in Riyadh.
However, the fight quickly fell apart after Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash in Nigeria 10 days after his sixth round knockout of Jake Paul.
The 36-year-old saw two of his close friends killed in the accident and the Brit escaped with minor injuries.
The situation put Joshua’s career understandably on ice, but Alalshikh kept to his promise of delivering the Dutchman a major fight.
“He’s the champ, I’m the champ in my discipline,” Verhoeven told ESPN.
“Let’s talk about it.
“I called them up, and I said: ‘I have an idea, I just want to pitch it … Just let me know what you think.
“I hear: ‘I love it.’
“The rest is history.
“They discussed it with [Usyk], he was excited about it, he said: ‘I love it too, let’s make it happen.’”
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Verhoeven, trained by Peter Fury, is a major underdog to pull off what would undoubtedly be classed as the biggest upset in heavyweight history since Buster Douglas’ knockout of Mike Tyson in 1990.
The WBC belt will be at stake for both men, but the WBA strap will only be on the line for Usyk.
The IBF have not sanctioned the bout, but Usyk will lose his title if he fails to beat Verhoeven.
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