Career-heavy Usyk 25lb lighter than 'dangerous' Verhoeven

Career-heavy Usyk 25lb lighter than 'dangerous' VerhoevenImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pound-for-pound star Oleksandr Usyk (left) is unbeaten in 24 pro fights, while Rico Verhoeven won his only pro boxing bout in 2014ByKal SajadBBC Sport boxing journalistPublished13 minutes agoWorld champion Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at his career heaviest for Saturday's title defence against Rico Verhoeven, but still gave up 25lb to the challenger.The Ukrainian great will face the kickboxer-turned-boxer at the foot of the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, with the WBC title on the line.Usyk scaled 16st 9lb (106kg) - seven pounds heavier than for his stoppage win over Briton Daniel Dubois last summer.Despite being a huge favourite, the 39-year-old insisted he was taking the "dangerous" Verhoeven seriously."I'm not [thinking] relaxed and this is easy money. This is a fighter," added Usyk.How a kickboxing legend & Statham's pal landed a shot at UsykPublished13 hours agoSecrets, acting & 16 years unbeaten - in camp with UsykPublished1 day agoUsyk v Verhoeven - all you need to knowPublished3 days agoHe was in a typically relaxed mood as he reiterated that he planned to box two more times after this fight. Verhoeven, 37, weighed in at 18st 7lb (117kg) for only his second professional boxing bout - and 12 years after his first.The Dutchman said he was "super happy and confident" and "fully emerged into the world of boxing", but refused to be drawn into how he plans to create arguably the greatest upset in the sport's history."We're not going to do predictions. May the best man win," added Verhoeven.The pair shared another intense 90-second face-off, eventually broken up by promoter Eddie Hearn stepping between them.Despite a respectful build-up, their previous media encounters have also been notably lengthy, with the combined time for all stare downs around five minutes - each one eventually h...