The WBA has granted Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) permission to defend his title against Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) on May 23, following a special request submitted to the organisation.
The approval comes with conditions. The belt is on the line for Usyk but not for Verhoeven, who is currently unranked by the WBA. A Usyk victory counts as an official title defence. Should he lose, the WBA Championship Committee would review his status and determine how the heavyweight title picture proceeds.
Verhoeven would gain no title recognition from a win, though the result would make him eligible to enter the WBA’s heavyweight rankings. The ruling means that Usyk will put the WBA on the line, alongside his WBC title. With the Ukrainian a heavy favorite, Usyk will no doubt be even more focused given that another belt is on the line.