British coach Dave Caldwell criticised the decision to make Usyk's fight against Verhoeven a title fight.
British coach Dave Caldwell commented on the upcoming fight between WBC heavyweight world champion Alexander Usyk and kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. The WBC world title is at stake in the fight.
Caldwell expressed his opinion on the Boxing Social YouTube channel. He noted that he is a big fan of Usyk and respects his career.
According to the coach, the Ukrainian achieved his success through his own efforts. Usyk defeated champions on their home turf, then moved up to heavyweight and repeated this result. Caldwell added that he would like the Ukrainian to end his career on a high note and understands his desire to earn a large fee.
"I can't blame him. It's fair. If he wants to do it, no questions asked. You know, at this stage of his career, the only complaint I have is that it's a defence of the WBC heavyweight world title. I think it's wrong, and this title shouldn't be at stake. When the fight was first announced, I thought, 'No way, surely not,'" said Caldwell.
He also noted that he initially agreed with the announcement that the fight would not be a title fight and that a special belt would be made for him. According to him, this was reported by Boxing Scene.
However, the decision was later changed, and the fight will still be a defence of the WBC championship title. The coach called this decision unfair.
Caldwell stressed that the chance to fight for the championship belt must be earned. According to him, Rico Verhoeven is a kickboxer and has only had one professional boxing match before.
He stressed that he has no objections to the fight itself. In his opinion, such fights can be held between mandatory title defences, but should not be title fights.
"Fighters have done this in the past, I have nothing against it. I remember James Tony was a world champion and had 10-round non-title fights between defences. I have no problem with the fight itself, but I do have a problem with the fact that it is for the world title. There are guys in the rankings who are risking their lives and careers, going through all the stages to try to become a contender for this WBC title," Caldwell said.
He also added that in such a situation, boxers in the rankings find themselves pushed away from the opportunity to fight for the championship belt. As an example, the coach mentioned Cabaye, who was previously named Usyk's mandatory opponent for the WBC title defence.
