Undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his WBC title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026.
The bout, dubbed “Glory in Giza,” will take place against the iconic backdrop of the Pyramids.
Usyk (24-0), who hasn’t fought since stopping Daniel Dubois last July, praised his opponent’s discipline but warned: “This is boxing—a different game with its own kings.”
Verhoeven, 36, dominated kickboxing for 12 years before retiring in November. While he hasn’t boxed professionally since 2014, the Dutchman called the move a search for the “highest challenge available.”
Despite the stunning location, critics are calling the fight a “mammoth mismatch.”
Usyk recently vacated his WBO belt rather than facing rising contender Fabio Wardley, leading some to question why a boxing novice is receiving a world-title shot.
While Francis Ngannou nearly upset Tyson Fury in 2023, experts believe the methodical Usyk is unlikely to be caught off guard by a crossover athlete.
