Rico Verhoeven entered his fight with Oleksandr Usyk as a heavy underdog. Eddie Hearn believes he left Egypt with something way more worthwhile: a legitimate case for a rematch. Hearn believes Verhoeven modified the conversation along with his performance.
“Listen, I’m not saying people weren’t excited concerning the fight, but nobody gave Rico a probability,” said Hearn to Fight Hub TV.
“Now, especially in Holland, they’ll think that Rico can win. And perhaps he can, but I believe Usyk would do a greater job next time.”
Verhoeven’s performance surprised much of the boxing world. The longtime kickboxing champion used his size, movement, and awkward style to bother Usyk for long stretches of the fight before being stopped late.
Hearn believes the result modified your entire conversation around a second meeting.
“If I used to be Usyk, I’d be rematching Rico Verhoeven right away in Holland, right? And I’d probably end my profession there with a win,” said Hearn.
“But I do think that results of that fight gives him an excuse to run it back.”
Before the fight, few people were asking for a rematch. Many saw it as a one-time crossover event. After eleven rounds, Hearn sees it otherwise.
“Rico deserved a variety of credit and a variety of respect,” said Hearn.
Whether a rematch happens stays unclear, with Agit Kabayel and other contenders still pursuing title opportunities. Hearn’s view is that Verhoeven modified his standing with one performance. Before the fight, few believed he could compete with Usyk. After it, a second fight suddenly looks much easier to sell.
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Last Updated on 2026/05/29 at 2:44 AM