Kickboxing legend Verhoeven faces Oleksandr Usyk Saturday in the main event slot of The Ring’s "Glory in Giza" card at the Pyramids in Egypt, live on DAZN. It will be the Dutchman's second ever professional boxing bout and The Ring/WBC heavyweight titles will be on the line.

Fury, along with Verhoeven's other trainer, Dennis Krauweel, love what they see from their man in preparation, but they know it will take more than his impressive physical physique to get the job done.

“Usyk’s got major advantages because this is his profession,” Fury told The Ring. “This is what he does, this is what he’s built, and he’s a great champion. When you’re at this level, it’s about intelligence. How good a chess player are you? Intelligence creates world champions. Not brawn, muscle, power, [but] intelligence.”

When it comes to IQ, however, Usyk is one of the best. And even at 39 years old, he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.

He wasn’t too active in 2025, but he made the most of his lone appearance by stopping Daniel Dubois in emphatic fashion to become a three-time undisputed champion at Wembley Stadium.

Fury, uncle and ex-trainer of Tyson, knows Usyk (25-0, 14 KOs) well. But considering Verhoeven’s passion and drive to be the best, he has a feeling that, despite having just one pro boxing bout under his belt, he has the ability to get it done against all odds.

“Rico is a fighting man,” Fury continued. “That’s all he’s ever known. He’s been doing it from being a baby. He’s very highly driven. He’s a good listener. You rely on your team. The team is me and Dennis.

"We’re there because we got him here from the beginning. It’s what he does, it’s what I do as being a trainer and being around boxing. It’s what Dennis Krauweel does. This is the sport we’re in. We don’t see it as a risk factor. We enjoy what we do. We’re passionate.

“Usyk is a fine boxer. He ticks all the boxes. How do we prepare? You’ll see on the night. As long as they put the best foot forward and do the very best, let the best man win.”