Rico Verhoeven Ranked 8th by WBC After Controversial Loss to Oleksandr Usyk
The World Boxing Council (WBC) has officially ranked Rico Verhoeven as the world's eighth-best heavyweight just eleven days after his controversial loss to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk at the "Glory in Giza," the boxing event held by Ring Magazine at the Pyramids of Egypt. It is an unprecedented rise for a boxer with only two professional fights.
The WBA has followed suit, albeit more cautiously, inserting Verhoeven into their no. 15 of their heavyweight rankings. As of this writing, the WBO and IBF have yet to update their lists for June.
The WBC released its updated rankings for June, and although Verhoeven's professional boxing record is only 1-1, he now sits above established contenders like Martin Bakole (21-2) and Richard Riakporhe (20-1).
The Loss that Gained Rico a Ranking
Verhoeven entered the contest as a massive underdog, having fought just one professional boxing bout twelve years prior. Yet, for ten rounds, the "King of Kickboxing" defied vocal critics, pressuring the smaller, older champion in a way few have managed.
(Highlights via DAZN on YouTube):
Usyk finally turned the tide in the championship rounds, dropping Verhoeven with a vicious right uppercut at the end of the 11th round. Usyk then pounced on Verhoeven with a flurry that caused the referee to wave off the contest.
The TKO was highly controversial, and Verhoeven and his team even tried to appeal the loss, believing the referee called it off after the bell already rang.
Rico's New Ranking
Despite the loss, the WBC now lists him directly beneath former champions and boxing superstars, Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua.
The move mirrors the WBC's 2023 decision to rank UFC veteran Francis Ngannou after his narrow loss to Tyson Fury:
Francis Ngannou did an outstanding job against the WBC Heavyweight Champion and the WBC Board of Governors has agreed to rank him as No. 10 in the Heavyweight division.@francisngannou#wbcboxing#wbcuzbekistan23pic.twitter.com/mXjhiRS9Vt
— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) November 15, 2023
However, Verhoeven has been placed even higher than Ngannou was, instantly positioning him as a potential opponent for any major name in the heavyweight division.
With the WBC ordering champion Usyk to face Interim champion Agit Kabayel next, Verhoeven is now a highly dangerous "optional defense" for any fighter ranked above him. This puts immense pressure on the likes of Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury, who could face Verhoeven for a massive payday, albeit at the risk of being humiliated by a kickboxer.
With his performance, Verhoeven proved he belongs on the elite stage. At 37 years old, the clock is ticking, but the WBC ranking could help him achieve his dream of becoming a champion in another sport. Having already conquered GLORY Kickboxing for nearly a decade, the lure of a full-time boxing run is now viable.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 7:38 PM.