Rico Verhoeven has debuted one place behind Deontay Wilder in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings after his controversial defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in Egypt.
The Dutch kickboxing superstar has been placed at number eight by the World Boxing Council, one place below former WBC heavyweight champion Wilder and one place above Efe Ajagba.
Wilder occupies the number seven position after defeating Derek Chisora in April, leaving Verhoeven directly behind one of the division’s most recognizable names.
For a fighter whose only professional boxing bout came against Usyk, that is some landing spot.
Rico Verhoeven WBC Ranking
The WBC had already indicated that Verhoeven would be ranked after his performance against Usyk beneath the Pyramids in Giza.
Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed that Verhoeven would be placed in the heavyweight ratings and later praised referee Mark Lyson.
Now the ranking has arrived after the WBA also placed Verhoeven at number fifteen in its latest heavyweight ratings.
Verhoeven slots in behind Tyson Fury, Lawrence Okolie, Moses Itauma, Filip Hrgovic, Anthony Joshua, Frank Sanchez and Wilder on the latest WBC list.
Behind him sit Ajagba, Richard Riakporhe, Martin Bakole, Andrii Novitskyi, Bakhodir Jalolov, Guido Vianello and Labinot Xhoxhaj.
Usyk vs Verhoeven Fallout
Despite ultimately losing to Usyk on May 23, Verhoeven produced an effective if unorthodox performance that left him ahead after ten rounds on the WBN scorecard.
Had the Dutchman survived the final round, he would have dethroned Usyk and few would be questioning a number eight ranking.
Instead, Verhoeven was stopped in round eleven with one second remaining, sparking immediate controversy over the timing of the intervention.
The WBC has stood by the result and the referee. It has also rewarded Verhoeven’s performance with a top-ten heavyweight position.
Not everyone will be convinced.
However, boxing has seen fighters enhance their standing in defeat before. Francis Ngannou emerged from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury with more credibility than when he entered the ring.
Top Ten Heavyweight
Verhoeven’s ranking also continues a wider pattern, prompting further debate over how quickly rankings can change for any fighter once major opportunities emerge.
In Verhoeven’s case, the argument is easier to understand.
He pushed Usyk far closer than expected, led after ten on the WBN card and came within one round of one of the strangest heavyweight title upsets of the modern era.
Still, try telling that to the other 32 fighters now sitting below him on the WBC’s monthly heavyweight list.
WBC Heavyweight Top 15
Tyson Fury
Lawrence Okolie
Moses Itauma
Filip Hrgovic
Anthony Joshua
Frank Sanchez
Deontay Wilder
Rico Verhoeven
Efe Ajagba
Richard Riakporhe
Martin Bakole
Andrii Novitskyi
Bakhodir Jalolov
Guido Vianello
Labinot Xhoxhaj
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a veteran boxing reporter with 15+ years of experience. He has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside since 2010. Read full bio.
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