Andy Ruiz Jr. is backing Oleksandr Usyk to beat Rico Verhoeven when they meet on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, a matchup that would pit boxing’s top heavyweight against one of the biggest names in kickboxing. The bout is set to take place under boxing rules, a key detail that shapes how this fight is being viewed across the combat sports world.
For American fans, the intrigue is obvious: this is the kind of cross-discipline showdown that always sparks debate, even if the rules heavily favor the boxer. Usyk’s résumé gives him a clear edge. He has already unified titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight, and his footwork, ring IQ, and pace make him a nightmare matchup for almost anyone in pure boxing.
Ruiz made that point clearly when discussing the fight, saying Usyk should win because he is the more experienced fighter and a proven champion at the highest level. He also said he has watched Verhoeven train and studied footage of the Dutchman’s fights, but still believes the rule set changes everything.
That gets to the real stakes here. If Usyk wins cleanly, it only reinforces his standing as the most complete heavyweight boxer of his era while adding another headline-grabbing name to his orbit. If Verhoeven is competitive, though, he immediately gains credibility with a U.S. audience that may know him more by reputation than by tape. That matters in a combat sports market always looking for crossover attractions.
Ruiz’s bottom line was simple: Verhoeven’s biggest weapons will be taken away from him. In his view, that should allow Usyk to control the fight and get the job done.
“Usyk should win. He’s an experienced fighter. He’s a champion. Usyk is a former undisputed heavyweight world champion. But I’ve heard that many people are advising him to be careful with Verhoeven,” Ruiz said.
The American added that he had watched several videos of Verhoeven working on the heavy bag along with recordings of his fights. Even so, Ruiz believes the kickboxer will be seriously limited under boxing rules.
“I think Usyk beats him, especially since Rico won’t be able to use his legs,” the former champion said.
Now the focus shifts to whether Verhoeven can make this interesting with his size and composure, or whether Usyk turns it into a clinic before the heavyweight picture moves on to even bigger business.