The World Boxing Council has moved to answer criticism of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, formally sanctioning the bout as a voluntary WBC heavyweight title defense.
In its March 2026 heavyweight update, the WBC Board of Governors confirmed the fight was approved under voluntary provisions following discussions at its 63rd Annual Convention in Bangkok.
The clarification answers the central question that surfaced as soon as the matchup was announced: Does a crossover opponent belong in a full WBC title fight?
WBC Points To Résumé
The WBC’s case begins with Usyk.
It cited his run of victories over Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice, describing that stretch as “unprecedented, especially in the heavyweight division.”
That body of work, the WBC said, gives the champion the right to exercise a voluntary defense before the next mandatory obligation is enforced.
Under its rules, a reigning champion is permitted one voluntary bout within the cycle before the mandatory position is formally called. By approving Usyk–Verhoeven now, the WBC has made clear that it is operating within that window.
Agit Kabayel, the interim champion and mandatory challenger, is set to be enforced immediately following the Egypt title fight.
Acknowledging the timeline, Kabayel said, “It’s official. Just one fight to go, then we’re next!”
Regarding Verhoeven, the organization pointed to two decades at the elite level of kickboxing, 76 professional contests, and an 11-year unbeaten reign as GLORY heavyweight champion before vacating the title.
The Council also stressed that crossover moves are not new, referencing Muay Thai fighters who transitioned into boxing and challenged for WBC honors early in their careers. In its view, the Usyk–Verhoeven fight fits within precedent and complies with existing regulations.
The setting was also part of the explanation. Staging a heavyweight championship bout at the Pyramids of Egypt carries global symbolism — something long associated with the late WBC President José Sulaimán.
Voluntary Defense Granted
Technically, the sanctioning is straightforward.
Ranked heavyweights waiting for movement will see a voluntary defense as a temporary pause in the line, even if no mandatory has been bypassed under the current enforcement calendar.
The WBC insists the schedule remains intact. The contender queue remains unchanged.
What the fight does create is global attention. An undefeated heavyweight champion facing a long-reigning kickboxing titleholder gives the event a distinct identity without stepping outside the championship structure.
By outlining its reasoning publicly, the WBC has put its authority behind both Usyk’s résumé and Verhoeven’s credentials.
The heavyweight title will move to Egypt under full WBC sanction — and the WBC is standing firmly behind that decision.
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.
