JAW TO JAW! 🚨 Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven HEATED Final Press Conference Face Off!

本站收录: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]And I would almost bet a this is not intentional. No, I really don't believe this is intentional at all. But I also believe when it comes to this white and the gold trim from us. I believe it has something to do with the Bible. I believe it's a religious thing. And I believe like that has been a lot of his driven motivation, his belief in Jesus Christ. And not just that, when he came here, the first thing he did was go to church. And he's been saying it the whole time during this whole promo. You know, there's something I've been lucky enough to have sat down with Rico a few times now in the leadup to this fight.

[00:00:29]When he talks, he makes you believe him.

[00:00:32]He speaks with such assuredness, such authority where I obviously look, he's a big underdog, but you believe that something crazy could happen because [clears throat] of the way he talks.

[00:00:41]>> Well, there is mental power there. And let's not forget he has displayed that 12 years glory champion uh defeating opponents after another facing adversity overcoming adversity and um yeah that kind [music] of creates confidence right so he speaks of confidence I think that's what's resonating >> and ultimately Malik he gets he gets kicked in the face >> I mean this guy is used to knees and kicks I mean there's no there's no fear factor of Rico Rico's coming in here as he says an undefeated long reigning champion He's coming in there to do some damage. Yes. And he you one thing you just said out of that make a lot of sense. He get kicked in the face a lot, right? And just being a kickboxer. So you'll say, "Well, he should be able to handle a punch." But the punches that come from Alexander Usyk are the punches you can't see. He he hit you with the blindsided shots. So yeah, Rico may have seen a bunch of kicks, a bunch of whole different punches, but he's never seen nothing that's going to be coming from the direction of shots the way how Alexander Usyk throw punches.

[00:01:36]>> This is very different for Rico, I'm guessing, Alistister. for his last 10 years. He walks into the ring in kickboxing as a favorite. He goes in there and we expect him to win. This will be the first time in a long time he's walking into a ring and nobody here expects him to win.

[00:01:50]>> And that can be his um his beneficial factor that can work out for >> uh the beautiful country of Egypt already brings so much history with it.

[00:02:01]and then being so close to the pyramids that have been here for thousands of years and now we're in 2026 and [music] still Egypt is writing history and me and Alexander are a small part of that history with us headlining this main event uh on this card. So that's why I say I feel so thankful um and thank you to his excellency and the whole organization. Of course, thank you to uh to Alexander Usyk for accepting this challenge. So like I said, I feel I feel blessed. I'm excited. I put everything I have into this. So I can't wait for Saturday night. So like I said, I feel I feel blessed. I'm excited. I put everything I have into this. So I can't wait for Saturday night. And you've said in the buildup as well, Rico, look, let's talk about the similarities with yourself and Usyk as great champions rather than the differences. You're two gentlemen that's been classy in the buildup, but what do you respect deep down about the man you're sharing the ring with as a as a character and a fighter?

[00:03:09]>> No, 100%. I think just in general, if we look at the world, we are more looking at what makes you different from me. Listen um I respect all my reels because I know how because who who training boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, you know, fight it's amazing guys and the crazy guys. Yes, I respect all my reels but it's uh it's hard sport, bro. You training boxing?

[00:03:45]>> Uh I had one spar and that was it. So now >> please please uh go try one training one round the real sparring.

[00:03:55]>> I'll try.

[00:03:56]>> Yes, >> I'll try.

[00:03:57]>> I respect all my uh reels, bro.

[00:03:59]>> Yeah, I need to look after my nose.

[00:04:02]>> Don't worry.

[00:04:03]>> I'll be out of a job.

[00:04:04]>> Protect us. No problem.

[00:04:06]>> Thank you, Alexander.

[00:04:07]>> Come my camp.

[00:04:08]>> Can I? Yeah, >> of course.

[00:04:10]>> Okay, no problem. I'll take you up on that offer. Thank you.

[00:04:13]>> Um I have no idea, you know. How many rounds this is fight? I'm not sad. If 12 rounds it's that's normal. Uh but I don't know. Uh when uh when I have chance I do it for you, Rico, I know you've seen this so many times in your mind, the the fire and your motivation you spoke about all week. How do you believe you win this fight on Saturday?

[00:04:38]What is the what's the best way for you to beat Alexander Usi on Saturday?

[00:04:41]>> For me, for me, the first objective is to win. And how we're going to win, we'll see. If it's a knockout, it's a knockout. If it's a decision, it's a decision. So, and if it would come to a decision, and I get the win. Wow.

[00:04:56]>> Bring something that you haven't seen before. Do you believe he can bring something that you possibly haven't seen before in a boxing ring? What are the big dangers?

[00:05:05]>> Now, it's only words.

[00:05:07]This is press conference and we speak a lot of but uh my uh my language will be in ring, you know.

[00:05:16]Maybe it's possible, maybe it's not.

[00:05:18]We'll see. It's God's will.

[00:05:21]>> I ain't going to beat a boxer in a boxing fight. It's not It's not happening. I might be some, do you know what I mean? At a certain level, but like I'm not going to jump in and beat like a Usyk or aing Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. It's just not happening.

[00:05:34]>> What do you make of it? You've sparred.

[00:05:39]>> Does he have any chance?

[00:05:40]>> I mean, I've been sparring Rico for 10 years, so I [music] know him well. He's is like I'm lucky enough to say that he's a friend of mine as well. Super super good guy. Um I think anybody's got a chance, don't they? But I think Usyk is a of levels.

[00:05:55]Rico's a big human being. He might cause Usyk some problems with his m like >> I've got a better question.

[00:06:02]>> They move different.

[00:06:03]>> Is Rico a better boxer than Francis Inani?

[00:06:06]>> Yes.

[00:06:07]>> Okay. Well, Franc dropped the unified heavyweight champion of the world in Tyson Fury. So it's not doesn't sound very ludicrous anymore, does it? If Rico Behovven was going in with Francanu, would he be the favorite in a boxing match?

[00:06:20]>> Yes, I think he would.

[00:06:21]>> Okay. Well, there you go.

[00:06:22]>> I do think he would.

[00:06:23]>> Look, you don't take anyone for granted.

[00:06:25]He's a big strong guy for Hudin. He He's in good shape. He's physical. Um he's game, you know, he's experienced in the kickboxing realm. You don't take anyone for granted. But he he doesn't think he have any chance against Usyk [music] and Usyk is a serious guy.

[00:06:45]>> Alexander Yusk versus Rico Verhovven just got real. And [music] the final predictions from boxing insiders might shock you. The first take comes from Tony Bellow who drops a surprising angle alongside Tom Aspenol [music] explaining exactly why Rico could seriously shake things up.

[00:06:58]>> Is Rico a better boxer than Francis Garni?

[00:07:02]>> Yes.

[00:07:03]>> Okay. Well, Franceu dropped the unified heavyweight champion of the world in Tyson Fury. So, it's not doesn't sound very ludicrous anymore, does it? If Rico Behovven was going in with Franceu, would he be the favorite in a boxing match?

[00:07:16]>> Yes, I think he would.

[00:07:17]>> Okay. Well, there you go.

[00:07:18]>> I do think he would, but I am a little bit biased on Rico's side. But, >> well, if that's the case, then [music] this guy's got a chance because France Ganu gave Tyson Fury an absolute hell of a fight. I'm not saying he beat him. A lot of people do think he beat him and and and I understand why they think >> you've been in the ring with us though like >> unfortunately I have. Yeah. But uh it doesn't it makes it makes no change on what my opinion is. Rico Behovven is is dangerous.

[00:07:45]>> But the problem according to Tony Bellow is that the edge fades [music] after two or three rounds once Rico Verhovven's style gets exposed potentially leaving him overwhelmed by Alexander Yusk's pressure.

[00:07:55]>> The guy's a big lump and he can punch.

[00:07:57]Like I'm I'm interested to know. I always he land a punch against Alexander Usuzi.

[00:08:01]>> Absolutely. Do you want to bet he lands he lands a >> No, he'll land a punch.

[00:08:05]>> He will land punches on Alexander. He'll be actually took back in the first two to three rounds by his style [music] and what will happen. I'm not sure.

[00:08:12]>> I I do. I think um see we've got this is only for from my experience of sparring [music] boxers which obviously sparring fighting is different especially at that level.

[00:08:20]There's a little disclaimer for you, but so boxers, right, they they've been used to fighting someone who's come through the amateur program in boxing, and they've all got a pretty, generally speaking, a pretty similar style.

[00:08:33]They'll throw one two and a left. They work behind a jab, they'll jab to the head and the body, they'll throw one, two, they'll throw. Having shared sparring sessions with Rico Verhovven, Tom Aspenol believes stepping away from a traditional boxing style and bringing something unpredictable could help Rico trouble Alexander Yusk and create an entertaining fight. Basic conventional stuff.

[00:08:53]>> We're all taught the basics the same.

[00:08:54]>> They'll all do similar stuff. There are 50 amateur fights, 100 amateur fights, 30 pro fights and and they're all doing similar stuff. Now, when I spired boxers in the past, the success that I've had, which is very limited, you know, I'll hold my hands up and say I'm not going out there and pinging like professional boxing a boxing spar cuz I'm not. But the success that I have is when I do stuff that they're not used to. I'll I'll be miles out range. I'll dive in and do weird stuff that they're not I won't do the traditional one, two.

[00:09:23]>> So, Usyk has a chance of doing that.

[00:09:25]Sorry. Rico has a chance of doing that against Usyk. just doing different stuff that he's not accustomed to like he would be with normal [music] boxers.

[00:09:33]Does that mean he's going to win the fight? Not necessarily.

[00:09:36]>> And then comes the shocking twist.

[00:09:38][music] Reek over Hovind jokes that if things do not go as planned with his trainer, he might even think about throwing a [music] high kick in the eighth or ninth round. Something clearly not allowed under boxing rules against Alexander Yusk.

[00:09:49]>> But no, I love it. If everything goes south, I'll just get throw a high kick in the in the eighth or n round. It's logical because they they do not know me. They do not know the story. They do not do not know who I am. So, it's up to me to give them a little bit of context like, "Hey, what I've done within the kickboxing sport and the WBC also has a Muay Thai kicking boxing division." So, they understand my credentials and that's how this fight came about and that's how they sanctioned it. And then again, they can still be critical, but it's [music] not up to me. It's just like I take it as it comes. You ready?

[00:10:27]Because I'm coming for those B.

[00:10:28]>> And this is exactly what Tony Bellow is warning Rico Verhovven to stay away from because this is a sanctioned boxing fight with clear limits. Bellow [music] stresses that while unorthodox angles and unexpected movement could give Rico a small window to stay competitive against Alexander Yusi, there is still a line he cannot cross. Verhovven himself admits that even thinking about using high kicks could lead to an instant disqualification, ending everything within seconds. He's a bit better than novice, but he'll do things that noviceses would offset you when you're a world champion or when you're a world class fighter and boxer. The worst thing you can do is get in the ring with a novice cuz they make you look stupid.

[00:11:02]It's like Tom, if he gets in the ring with a mixed martial artist and he hasn't got a clue, he'll do things that'll go, "What are you doing?" But they'll take him by surprise. Things that you just raw noviceses would do.

[00:11:12]And I think that's Rico's best chance and opportunity really to do some crazy stuff. Don't kick. I'm not advising you to kick, son. Don't kick. But uh just coming square on [music] angles that you won't really expect. Taking risks from so far out it looks stupid but you'll actually have success by doing it because it'll never have been done to him before and it'll be very hard to replicate Spartan Partners.

[00:11:36]>> Already sounding the alarm, Teddy Atlas sees no real chance for Rico Verhovven against Alexander Yusk. Atlas insists fights like this often get labeled as scripted, but says Yusk does not operate that way. He points to Anthony Joshua stopping crossover opponents in dominant fashion, arguing that Usyk would likely finish the job even earlier because in his view the challenge is simply too easy for a fighter of Usix's level. You know, is there some agreement there? You people were wondering that I think for a while with Joshua and Paul, you know, was an agreement to to move around for a few rounds then take the, you know, take the gloves off and and go at it. And of course, Joshua, I think, stopped him in the sixth round if I remember correctly.

[00:12:19]Whatever it was, [music] but a lot of people didn't think it was go that long.

[00:12:22]We got that one right. We at the over.

[00:12:24]Uh, I think it was three rounds. We had the over in that one. But User is not the kind of guy that would [music] entertain stuff like that. I don't believe. I think that he does deserve an easy one.

[00:12:39]The biggest question, [music] at least in the eyes of Teddy Atlas, is not how Alexander Yusk gets it done, but how long he chooses to stretch it. Atlas believes Rico Verhovven's guard will not hold up, saying Usyk will split it with ease and gradually break him down with relentless combinations. In his prediction, the fight does not last long with Usyk stopping Rico somewhere around the middle of the fourth round.

[00:13:00]>> It's like having a heavy bag in front of you. User will put punches together.

[00:13:04]He'll take what you give him. you know, he go to the body, he'll split the card with the uppercut. You know, there's so many things he could do.

[00:13:12]Again, it's going to be not can he do it. Does he want to do it? Does he want to do it in how fast does he want to do it? Does he want to do it when the bell rings or go after then he breaks the guy down? I think the overunder is three and a half, right? Something like >> Alexander Yusk versus Rico Verhovven has everyone certain of one thing. This is a fight that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Max Kellerman already frames it like a Rocky movie, suggesting that if Rico can endure and take the fight the distance, that alone would feel like a victory, Mike Coer agrees, saying that even as the underdog, if Rico can stay competitive and steal even half the rounds, he earns real respect.

[00:13:48]>> I stood his ground and made something great. Rocky loses the fight, but by going the distance, he really wins, right? So obviously if Rico Verhovven somehow actually beats Usyk, he will have pulled [music] off an all-time upset. But short of that, Mike, what's a win for Verhovven here, Max? I think Verhovven obviously if he can hurt Usyk at any juncture in the fight, that's a win. If he can make it into the second half of the fight past round six, that's a win for me. [music] And just being overall competitive and showing his boxing skills, I think people need to remember the Verhovven is no joke as a fighter. Stepping into the conversation, Malik Scott, a former sparring partner of Alexander Usyk, pushes back on the Rocky movie comparison, saying it is not fair to frame Yuk that way I Scott's view. Rico Verhovven is stepping into the ring against an all-time great heavyweight. He believes Rico would need a mindset similar to Derek Kazora, digging deep and pushing beyond every limit from start to finish just to stay competitive. Rocky Sylvester Salone Rocky the character his record was like in movie land 56 and 22 with 54 knockouts or something like that in movie land. Usyk is [music] not movie land. Like I keep saying Rico is going against to me probably can be considered one of the best fighters of all time in every [music] weight division. He can have some good moments. If I was him I would go with the Derek Jour mentality.

[00:15:08]Make Usyk rush his [music] offense.

[00:15:11]Don't allow him to think because if Usyk is if if if he if you if he allow you to think and give you time that mean he's going to destroy you.

[00:15:19]>> As fight night gets closer the conversation is no longer about whether Rico Verhovven can actually win but what would even count as success in defeat.

[00:15:26]Malik Scott argues that expectations have already shifted with many accepting Alexander Yusk as the likely winner.

[00:15:32]Still, he adds that if Rico can push beyond the halfway point of the fight and remain competitive under pressure, that alone would earn genuine respect from the boxing world.

[00:15:41]>> Be honest. I mean, you going to Egypt, you're fighting in front of the pyramids, like you already won.

[00:15:46]>> If he gets stretched in the first round, that's not a win. My thing is this, there's no way he can win this fight just because we watch Usyk fight against other big guys that's more than 270 that actually box for a living and they >> So, what would you say is is a is a is a like the a rocky win. A win where you don't actually get the W, but coming out of the fight you're like, "Okay."

[00:16:04]>> All right. Um, I'll say this cuz I I felt like Jake Paul had a win against AJ, right? You lasted more [music] than four rounds. If he last more than six rounds, right, second half of the fight, I can respect that because Usyk ain't going to be joking and playing around with. That's not his DNA. Joining the debate is combat veteran Alistair Overin who says the real X- factor in this matchup is what makes it so intriguing.

[00:16:24]Dot. He points out that Rico Verhovven brings experience from kickboxing backgrounds while Alexander Yusk represents pure elite boxing. Overin describes Yusk as [music] a true decoder, someone who reads opponents, breaks them down, and adjusts round by round. He believes that same process will test Rico's [music] mindset, motivation, and fight IQ under