Usyk v Verhoeven world title fight predictions

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Usyk v Verhoeven world title fight predictionsFigure caption, How an undisputed fight at the pyramids of Giza was influenced by Jason StathamPublished25 minutes agoOleksandr Usyk defends his WBC world title against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday in Egypt.The fight is unusual in location as in nature, with kickboxing world champion Verhoeven getting a title shot in just his second boxing fight – and first since 2014.

The 37-year-old Dutchman is aiming to pull off arguably the biggest upset in the sport’s history.

Ukrainian Usyk, 39, is aiming to continue his near 17-year winning streak.

Will we see an underdog win for the ages or will Usyk’s dominance continue?

BBC Sport asks the boxing world for their predictions.

What information do we collect from this quiz?

Tony Bellew – former WBC cruiserweight champion

“I’m going for Usyk by stoppage in round six.”

Prediction – Usyk

Malik Scott – former boxer & trainer of Deontay Wilder

“Usyk will win by stoppage between rounds four and eight.”

Prediction – Usyk

Darren Barker – British ex-middleweight world champion

“I reckon Usyk stops Verhoeven in rounds six or seven.”

Prediction – Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk v Rico Verhoeven

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Anthony Crolla – ex-WBA lightweight title holder

“It’s a crazy, crazy fight. Probably more crazy than Francis Ngannou against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. I think Usyk will just have a bit of fun, being the showman that it is. He could do it early but he wraps it up by the halfway mark.”

Prediction – Usyk

Terence Crawford – three-weight former undisputed champion

“I know Usyk and I know what level he’s on and I think he’s up for it. [and] put on an amazing show.”

Predicton – Usyk

Eddie Hearn – promoter

“Verhoeven is going to be a handful but unfortunately for him he’s fighting one of the best to ever do it. So I can’t see anything else other than an Usyk victory.”

Prediction – Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk on fighting Rico Verhoeven, Anthony Joshua and world title defence

Richie Woodhall – ex-WBC super-middleweight champion

“I think Usyk will win the fight. It will be late or on points but if I had choose then I’ll probably go with a late stoppage. Verhoeven will be in the fight early on and he will be dangerous as he can hit very hard. But Usyk will do what he does – he will work it out and eventually take him apart and stop him late.”

Prediction – Usyk

Alistair Overeem – retired UFC fighter

“I think Usyk will win by TKO in rounds five or six.”

Prediction – Usyk

Stacey Copeland – pundit & former boxer

“Verhoeven could be a little unpredictable because he’s coming from a different discipline, but I think Usyk will work him out and get the win.”

Prediction – Usyk

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Adam Smith – boxing commentator

“I think everyone is right in saying Usyk will win whenever he wants to win. It will probably be somewhere between rounds five and seven.”

Prediction – Usyk

Sergio Mora – American former WBC light-middleweight champion

“I think Usyk will be too fluid for the stiff and big Verhoeven. I’ve got Usyk by knockout in nine.”

Prediction – Usyk

Ade Oladipo – boxing presenter

“I genuinely believe, given Verhoeven’s size and toughness, he could cause any other heavyweight in the division problems. I’m not saying he’d beat them but he could certainly cause them problems. Unfortunately for him, he is fighting one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. I think this goes as long as Usyk wants it to go. I’ll go for a corner stoppage in round five.”

Prediction – Usyk

Natasha Jonas – former two-weight world champion

“I can’t see anything other than an easy win for Usyk – by potentially a mid-to-late stoppage.”

Prediction – Usyk

Paul Smith – retired British boxer

“Usyk will win this whenever he feels like it. This should be very straightforward for him.”

Prediction – Usyk

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