Female world champions agreed that the defensive mastery of the champion will ensure a straightforward night.
"I can't see anything other than an easy win for Usyk - by potentially a mid-to-late stoppage," said Natasha Jonas, former two-weight world champion.
Verhoeven's Path to the Fight
The challenger explained the background mechanics of how his friendship with Hollywood celebrities initiated the contract.
"Jason was the glue between us," explained Rico Verhoeven, WBC heavyweight challenger. "I was at the Fury-Usyk fight a year-and-a-half ago.
Jason was there too, and then when they [Statham and Alalshikh] were in Vegas for Crawford-Canelo, Jason showed His Excellency some videos of my fights...
and it happened.
His Excellency liked my fighting, and Jason rang me and said 'it's on, they want you to cross into boxing'."
The promotional teams moved quickly to formalize the arrangements once the initial concept was approved.
"The next day our teams started talking. And here we are..."
said Rico Verhoeven.
The challenger views the current state of combat sports as a historic moment for martial arts globally.
"Just for martial arts in general, it is an amazing time. I think there has never been so many eyes on martial arts than there are today.
And it's beautiful," said Verhoeven.
Verhoeven connected his Hollywood relationships with the broader human instinct to overcome personal obstacles.
"I think everybody within their own world is also a fighter. We are all battling something.
And they identify. Even like the mother who lives next door is also fighting to take care of her kids.
