Arabic version: خبراء يتوقعون أن يهيمن أولكسندر أوسيك على ريكو فيرهويفن

Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his WBC world title against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on Saturday in Egypt. This matchup is notable not only for its unique location but also for Verhoeven’s status as a relative newcomer to boxing, having only one previous fight since 2014. The 37-year-old Dutchman aims to achieve what would be considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history against the 39-year-old Ukrainian champion, who boasts a nearly 17-year winning streak. According to BBC News, predictions from boxing experts overwhelmingly favor Usyk.

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew predicts Usyk will secure a stoppage victory in the sixth round. Similarly, Malik Scott, a former boxer and trainer, believes Usyk will win by stoppage between rounds four and eight. British ex-middleweight world champion Darren Barker also sees Usyk stopping Verhoeven, estimating it will occur in rounds six or seven.

Prominent figures in boxing, including Terence Crawford and Eddie Hearn, share similar sentiments, with Crawford confident in Usyk’s ability to deliver an impressive performance. Hearn acknowledges Verhoeven’s potential challenge but ultimately expects Usyk to emerge victorious, given his superior experience and skill.

Other experts, including former champions and commentators, echo the consensus that Usyk will likely win, with predictions of stoppages occurring anywhere from the fifth to ninth rounds. Stacey Copeland, a pundit and former boxer, notes Verhoeven’s unpredictability due to his kickboxing background but still believes Usyk will find a way to win.

As the fight approaches, the boxing community eagerly anticipates whether Verhoeven can defy the odds or if Usyk will continue his dominant reign in the heavyweight division.