Most criticised the decision when it was announced that Rico Verhoeven would be eligible to win the WBC heavyweight title against Oleksandr Usyk in just his second pro bout. After his controversial defeat in that fight, the Dutchman has now features in the WBC’s updated heavyweight ratings.
Verhoeven boasted a record of just 1-0 ahead of his challenge for Usyk’s title, with that fight coming back in 2014. As a result, there was backlash from analysts, contenders and fans when the WBC announced that their title would be on the line.
The WBA and IBF then confirmed that their belts would be risked in a different way, with Usyk eligible to lose them but Verhoeven unable to win them, only earning a world ranking if he caused the upset.
To the amazement of fight fans, Verhoeven gave Usyk arguably his toughest fight to date and, in the eyes of many, deserved to be well clear on the scorecards before a controversial round 11 stoppage.
Due to the nature of Usyk’s win, there is growing pressure on the Ukrainian to rematch Verhoeven, but WBC Interim champion, Agit Kabayel, looks poised to instead be next in line.
Still, the WBC has recognised the now 1-1 recorded Verhoeven as a world-level contender, placing him at #8 in their newly released heavyweight world rankings. Above the Dutchman in order are Deontay Wilder, Frank Sanchez, Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgovic, Moses Itauma, Lawrence Okolie and Tyson Fury.
The WBA has reacted to Verhoeven’s performance similarly, despite the defeat, placing the kickboxing legend at #15 in its ratings, whilst the WBO and IBF are yet to provide a June update.