Usyk vs Verhoeven: Oleksandr Usyk to defend WBC title against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk will return to the ring in May to defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, with the bout scheduled for 23 May at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The clash, promoted as "Glory in Giza, " pairs Usyk's unbeaten professional boxing record against a decorated kickboxing champion in a matchup described as spectacular and unusual.

Rico Verhoeven: kickboxing resume and transition to boxing

Rico Verhoeven, the 36-year-old Dutch heavyweight, will be boxing for the first time since 2014 when he steps in to face Usyk. His kickboxing career is characterized by long-term dominance: it is noted as comprising 76 fights with 66 wins, and other tallies list his kickboxing record as 66-10 with 21 knockouts. Verhoeven announced his departure from kickboxing in November after a 12-year run as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion. He has previously sparred with top boxing names and had one professional boxing bout in 2014, which he won by knockout. Verhoeven has framed this move as a search for the highest challenge, describing the match-up as undisputed versus undisputed—the best facing the best.

Usyk's record, belts and recent form

Usyk arrives as a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion who holds the WBA, WBC and IBF belts. He is unbeaten in his professional career, recorded across 24 professional bouts, and has not fought since stopping Daniel Dubois with a fifth-round knockout at Wembley in July. Across the past four years he has accumulated six wins, including two victories each over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois.

Glory in Giza: venue, spectacle and logistics

The fight will take place at the Pyramids of Giza and is being billed as the first world title fight staged in Egypt. Organizers describe the event as happening "under the shadow of ancient giants, " though other details about the location are light. The setting has been highlighted as a breathtaking backdrop that some observers say almost distracts from how extraordinary and bizarre the contest itself appears.

Reactions and fallout across the heavyweight landscape

The announcement has prompted mixed reactions across the division. Some see the match as a spectacle; comparisons have been drawn to recent crossover events, including a high-profile bout in Miami between a former heavyweight champion and a crossover opponent that was streamed globally to roughly 300 million subscribers. Others view the Usyk–Verhoeven pairing as a mismatch in competitive terms.

Names long discussed as potential Usyk opponents remain in conversation. Usyk vacated his WBO title in November rather than face Fabio Wardley. Fans have repeatedly mentioned Agit Kabayel as an alternative: a live, unbeaten contender with momentum. Fabio Wardley, the 31-year-old British heavyweight who is scheduled to defend the WBO title against Daniel Dubois on 9 May in Manchester, expressed disappointment at the Usyk–Verhoeven announcement, saying he does not feel the matchup represents a genuine challenge or that the challenger deserves the shot, while also acknowledging Usyk's latitude to make his own choices at this career stage.

Upsets, precedents and unanswered questions

Heavyweight boxing has recently seen surprising performances by non-traditional challengers: in 2023 a boxing debutant dropped and seriously troubled Tyson Fury, nearly delivering a major upset. That near-upset is often cited when assessing the risk posed by a high-level athlete transitioning from another combat sport. At the same time, Usyk’s methodical and disciplined approach leads many to conclude he is unlikely to repeat the errors that allowed that near-upset to happen.

Key logistical and promotional details remain unclear. The bout will be streamed live, but platform details and fuller venue specifics beyond the iconic pyramid setting have not been fully detailed. For now, the confirmed facts are the date—23 May—the place—the Pyramids of Giza—and the billing as a WBC heavyweight title defense promoted under the banner "Glory in Giza. " Observers and fans will be watching how a decorated boxer who is unbeaten across 24 pro fights matches up against a long-reigning kickboxing champion seeking a new challenge.