Oleksandr Usyk to Defend Heavyweight Title Against Kickboxer at Egypt's Pyramids
Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, is set to make a dramatic return to the ring against an unconventional opponent. The Ukrainian boxer will face Rico Verhoeven, a decorated kickboxer, in a bout dubbed "Glory in Giza" at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on 23 May.
Historic Venue and Unprecedented Matchup
This event marks the first heavyweight title fight ever held in Egypt, according to The Ring magazine. The spectacle will be streamed live on DAZN, bringing the ancient backdrop of one of the Seven Wonders of the World to a global audience. Usyk, who has not fought since his fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley in July, is stepping into a unique cross-sport challenge.
Rico Verhoeven, a 36-year-old Dutch heavyweight, boasts an impressive kickboxing record of 66 wins and 10 losses, with 21 knockouts. His boxing experience is limited to a single professional bout in 2014, which he won by knockout. Despite this, he has sparred with Tyson Fury in the past, gaining valuable insight into the boxing world.
Champion's Respect and Challenger's Ambition
In a statement, Usyk expressed his admiration for Verhoeven, saying, "I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and a great champion. He's truly the king of kickboxing. Being a champion isn't just about belts. I'm ready and looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It's going to be a unique experience for both of us, a big night is coming."
Usyk, a twice undisputed heavyweight champion, holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF belts. Over the past four years, he has secured six victories, including two wins each over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois. In November, he vacated his WBO title instead of facing British heavyweight Fabio Wardley.
Verhoeven responded with his own ambitious declaration: "I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn't take away from the hunger, it strengthened it. Usyk is the undisputed in boxing. That's the kind of challenge that motivated me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best versus the best."
Criticism and Context
Fabio Wardley, who will defend the WBO title against Dubois on 9 May in Manchester, voiced his disappointment. He told Sky Sports, "I don't feel like it's a real, genuine challenge nor someone that deserves the shot. But I do understand or do concede Usyk is at a point in his career … where he's able to do what he wants for a bit in that sense. He's earned the position to … take an easy fight."
The matchup has drawn comparisons to recent spectacles in combat sports, such as Anthony Joshua's bout against YouTuber Jake Paul in Miami, which was streamed globally to Netflix's approximately 300 million subscribers. This fight at the Pyramids continues a trend of high-profile, unconventional events designed to capture widespread attention.
As the date approaches, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching how this clash between boxing and kickboxing elites will unfold under the Egyptian stars.
