The unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, passed the official weigh-in protocol this Friday in Egypt, registering 233.3 pounds. This figure represents the highest weight in the professional career of the Ukrainian, who is preparing to defend his WBC, WBA and IBF belts this Saturday against Rico Verhoeven in the historic Pyramids of Giza.

The physical difference on the scale was notable, since his opponent, Verhoeven, weighed 258.7 pounds, surpassing the monarch by 25 units. Despite this difference, Oleksandr Usyk seemed focused during the process, maintaining the plans established for this final stage of his career, which includes only three more fights before his definitive retirement from the fights.

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The challenge in the face of history and criticism

The fight has generated various positions in the boxing environment. Some analysts, such as Juan Manuel Márquez, have questioned the selection of the rival, pointing out that “boxing deserves respect” when referring to the disparity in experience between both athletes.

These statements, recently issued by the legendary Mexican boxer, reflect the debate about whether Oleksandr Usyk should have opted for an opponent with greater experience in the elite.

For his part, Rico Verhoeven seeks to consolidate himself in professional boxing, despite the fact that his only previous experience in this format dates back to 2014. The Dutch fighter aspires only to the WBC title, given that the WBA and IBF organizations have stipulated that they will not recognize a change of ownership in their respective belts in the event of a Verhoeven victory.

Future plans and career closure

Oleksandr Usyk's strategy is clear after this commitment in Egyptian territory. The Ukrainian's primary objective is to unify the world titles again and close his career with a trilogy against Tyson Fury, which would represent the climax of his time in the heavyweight category.

Finally, the evening will feature a final public confrontation, where both protagonists will face each other before entering the ring. The sports community will be attentive to the performance of Oleksandr Usyk, who seeks to consolidate his legacy against a rival who bets everything on physical power and the weight advantage obtained during the weigh-in day.