“I say thank you so much, guys. I love you,” said Usyk to Ring Magazine, reacting to the criticism he’s receiving for fighting the kickboxer Verhoeven.
The reaction reads differently when you factor in the situation around the fight. Usyk is coming off major paydays against Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua, and this crossover bout is expected to deliver another significant purse. Verhoeven himself is reportedly earning $15 million, which gives a clear idea of the amount involved.
From that position, the usual pressure to satisfy contenders and fans or justify matchmaking choices doesn’t register the same way. Usyk has already cleared out the top of the division and secured the biggest wins available. This fight doesn’t need to answer sporting questions, given the large payday Usyk is receiving. It falls closer to a celebrity match than a sport.
Heavyweights like Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma have made their interest known, and others have questioned why a non-boxer is getting the opportunity. Usyk didn’t dispute any of it. He also didn’t show any urgency to respond.
Instead, his focus stays on May 23 in Egypt, where he will face Verhoeven in a bout built more on spectacle than divisional progression. He has already indicated that his preparation remains unchanged, treating the assignment as routine.
The lack of engagement with criticism fits the moment. When the money is this high and the legacy work is already in place, there is less incentive to argue with anyone about what comes next.
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