Rico Verhoeven Debuts One Spot Behind Deontay Wilder in WBC Rankings

Rico Verhoeven has debuted one place behind Deontay Wilder within the newest WBC heavyweight rankings after his controversial defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt.

The Dutch kickboxing celebrity has been positioned at quantity eight by the World Boxing Council, one place under former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder and one place above Efe Ajagba.

Wilder occupies the quantity seven place after defeating Derek Chisora in April, leaving Verhoeven immediately behind one of many division’s most recognizable names.

For a fighter whose solely skilled boxing bout got here in opposition to Usyk, that’s some touchdown spot.

Rico Verhoeven WBC Rating

The WBC had already indicated that Verhoeven can be ranked after his efficiency in opposition to Usyk beneath the Pyramids in Giza.

Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Verhoeven can be positioned within the heavyweight scores and later praised referee Mark Lyson.

Now the rating has arrived after the WBA additionally positioned Verhoeven at quantity fifteen in its newest heavyweight scores.

Verhoeven slots in behind Tyson Fury, Lawrence Okolie, Moses Itauma, Filip Hrgovic, Anthony Joshua, Frank Sanchez and Wilder on the newest WBC checklist.

Behind him sit Ajagba, Richard Riakporhe, Martin Bakole, Andrii Novitskyi, Bakhodir Jalolov, Guido Vianello and Labinot Xhoxhaj.

Usyk vs Verhoeven Fallout

Regardless of in the end dropping to Usyk on Could 23, Verhoeven produced an efficient if unorthodox efficiency that left him forward after ten rounds on the WBN scorecard.

Had the Dutchman survived the ultimate spherical, he would have dethroned Usyk and few can be questioning a quantity eight rating.

As a substitute, Verhoeven was stopped in spherical eleven with one second remaining, sparking instant controversy over the timing of the intervention.

The WBC has stood by the consequence and the referee. It has additionally rewarded Verhoeven’s efficiency with a top-ten heavyweight place.

Not everybody shall be satisfied.

Nonetheless, boxing has seen fighters improve their standing in defeat earlier than. Francis Ngannou emerged from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury with extra credibility than when he entered the ring.

High Ten Heavyweight

Verhoeven’s rating additionally continues a wider sample, prompting additional debate over how shortly rankings can change for any fighter as soon as main alternatives emerge.

In Verhoeven’s case, the argument is simpler to know.

He pushed Usyk far nearer than anticipated, led after ten on the WBN card and got here inside one spherical of one of many strangest heavyweight title upsets of the trendy period.

Nonetheless, strive telling that to the opposite 32 fighters now sitting under him on the WBC’s month-to-month heavyweight checklist.

WBC Heavyweight High 15

1. Tyson Fury
2. Lawrence Okolie
3. Moses Itauma
4. Filip Hrgovic
5. Anthony Joshua
6. Frank Sanchez
7. Deontay Wilder
8. Rico Verhoeven
9. Efe Ajagba
10. Richard Riakporhe
11. Martin Bakole
12. Andrii Novitskyi
13. Bakhodir Jalolov
14. Guido Vianello
15. Labinot Xhoxhaj

Concerning the Writer

Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing Information (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of expertise. He has interviewed world champions, damaged worldwide exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Learn full bio.