Usyk Hits Back at Critics as Title Defence Against Kickboxing Star Verhoeven Confirmed for May

Oleksandr Usyk has never been a fighter content to colour inside the lines. Now, as he approaches the twilight of a glittering career, the unified heavyweight champion is making one final move on his own terms -- and daring anyone to question it.

The 39-year-old Ukrainian was满脸 at a London news conference on Tuesday to defend his decision to face Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt, a bout that has drawn sharp criticism given Verhoeven's limited boxing pedigree. The Dutchman, 37, has competed professionally only once -- a stoppage win in 2014 -- while his more decorated discipline is kickboxing, where he compiled a 66-9 record across 76 fights before walking away from the sport last November.

For Usyk, that critique misses the point entirely.

"One time I want to do what I want, not what I need," Usyk told reporters. "A lot of time I do what other people need. You have to box this person, or this or this. I say okay. Now I do what I want."

The fight, to be held against the backdrop of the pyramids of Giza in what promises to be an iconic sporting spectacle, will put the WBC world title Usyk holds at stake. Given the champion's standing -- Olympic gold medallist, former undisputed cruiserweight ruler, and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion with a perfect 24-0 professional record -- it is little wonder the bout has been labelled a significant mismatch by much of the boxing world.

Yet Usyk brushed off those concerns with characteristic warmth and wit. When asked about the secret behind his longevity at the top of the sport, he smiled: "Hard training and good pasta -- double portion."

Verhoeven, for his part, appeared anything but overwhelmed by the occasion. He has previously sparred with Tyson Fury and trained alongside UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and had been lined up to face Anthony Joshua before a tragic car crash last year claimed the lives of two of Joshua's friends. He described the pairing as "undisputed versus undisputed" and called it "something very special."

Usyk backed Joshua to become the next undisputed champion, telling the gathering: "AJ wins. It's future undisputed champion." He also left the door open for a trilogy with Tyson Fury, saying he would step aside if Fury and Joshua could finally agree their long-discussed bout.

The May 23 fight will serve as a bridge for Usyk toward more familiar ground -- he has stated his intention to face the winner of Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois next, before a potential third chapter with Fury. But first, the self-described "challenge" of Verhoeven. Whatever the critics say, Usyk is doing it his way.