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Oleksandr Usyk hints one change has been made ahead of Rico Verhoeven fight
Usyk vs. Verhoeven: Only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
Oleksandr Usyk has teased that he made one change to his training camp ahead of his bout with Rico Verhoeven on Saturday night.
The pair will clash in a heavyweight contest this weekend, live and exclusive on DAZN PPV and DAZN Ultimate Tier, in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Since the fight was announced, Usyk has been subject to some criticism with a long queue of heavyweight contenders, including WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel, missing out on facing one of this generation's greatest boxers.
However, the Ukrainian is someone who is always looking for a fresh challenge, and Verhoeven certainly presents something completely different to what Usyk has faced in his 12 years boxing so far.
Usyk reveals change in training camp for Verhoeven
For Usyk, there will not be much footage for him and his team to dissect ahead of the opening bell on Saturday night.
Verhoeven has featured in just one boxing match, and that took place in 2014 when he beat Janos Finfera with a second round knockout.
DAZN FACE OFF: Usyk vs. Verhoeven
Watch dramatic clash here
So how does someone as talented as Usyk prepare for an unknown quantity in Verhoeven?
Speaking to DAZN's Ade Oladipo, Usyk revealed that his preparation has not changed significantly, except for when it comes to sparring partners.
"For me, it’s my discipline, my work," Usyk said. "About 70% is the same, sometimes we change the sparring partner."
If Verhoeven manages to produce the unthinkable, it will be one of the biggest in the sport's history, therefore the pressure on Usyk's shoulders is immense to maintain the integrity of the sweet science.
But does the Ukrainian feel the weight of expectation?
"No pressure, I just work. People say I feel pressure, no, I just work."
This is supposedly the start of Usyk's final straight in boxing with him claiming that he has three fights left before retiring.
Once he gets past Verhoeven, it's expected that Kabayel will be next before facing either the winner of the rematch between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, or Tyson Fury a in trilogy bout.
Watch Usyk vs. Verhoeven only on DAZN
Oleksandr Usyk puts his unbeaten record on the line against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, in front of the Egyptian pyramids, live and exclusive on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27) PPV, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
