WBA confirms it will not recognize Rico Verhoeven as champion even if he later manages to defeat Usyk.

The World Boxing Association (WBA) has released an official firm statement ahead of the blockbuster showdown between reigning heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven. The WBA confirmed it will not crown Verhoeven as WBA heavyweight champion (above 90.7 kg), even if the fighter from the Netherlands successfully defeats Usyk in the bout scheduled to be held in Egypt on 23 May 2026.

Based on official WBA documentation monitored in Jakarta on Thursday (21/5/2026), this decision is strictly grounded on the organisation's active professional boxer ranking regulations.

"If Verhoeven wins against Usyk, he will still not be recognised as WBA champion, as he is not currently listed in the WBA professional Boxing ranking system," the official WBA statement clarified.

Championship Belt Outcome Rules
Although Usyk had submitted this bout as a voluntary title defence, the WBA has established special regulations for the fate of the super heavyweight championship belt:

If Verhoeven Wins: The WBA heavyweight championship title will not be transferred to Verhoeven. However, as recognition for defeating the reigning champion, the WBA will grant Verhoeven automatic eligibility to enter the organisation's official challenger rankings list.

If Usyk Wins: The match result will receive full official recognition. Usyk will be formally recorded as having successfully defended his WBA super heavyweight championship title.

Clash Of Undisputed Kings From Separate Combat Sports
This Egypt bout is highly anticipated as it will pit two dominant champions from entirely different fighting disciplines, both holding near-perfect legendary career records:

Rico Verhoeven (The Kickboxing King)

At 36 years old, Verhoeven has competed at elite professional kickboxing level since 2005. With 76 professional bouts under his belt, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight combat athletes of all time. He enters this fight fresh off vacating his Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight title, which he held undefeated for 11 consecutive years.

Oleksandr Usyk (The Boxing Ring Ruler) 

On the opposing side, Usyk enters this bout with an unblemished 24-0 professional boxing record, including 15 knockout victories. The Ukrainian fighter is a former undisputed world champion who previously unified all WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO heavyweight belts. Aware of Verhoeven's formidable physical threat, the famously disciplined Usyk is reported to have drastically ramped up the intensity of his training camp.

Prior to arranging this bout, Usyk chose to vacate his WBO belt after refusing a mandatory defence against Fabio Wardley. That vacant WBO title was recently claimed by Daniel Dubois following his victory over Wardley in Manchester, United Kingdom.