Unified boxing champ Oleksandr Usyk to face Rico Verhoeven at Pyramids of Giza
· Yahoo Sports
Sometimes these things happen in boxing.
The Ring announced on Friday that Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will be defending his heavyweight crown on May 23. He will be squaring off with kickboxing all-time great Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO Box; 66-10, 21 KOs KB) at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The event titled “Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons” will put up for grabs Usyk’s WBC belt, despite the heavyweight serving as the unified champion across all major sanctioning bodies. The boxing showcase will air on Dazn.
Unbeaten after 24 walks to the ring as a pro, Usyk appeared just once in 2025, where he mollywhopped Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to hold onto his titles while securing the IBF’s as well. Several of his recent outings the last few years have taken place in Saudi Arabia, where he squared off with names like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. In his last six bouts, he has beaten those three aforementioned boxers twice each.
In a statement provided to ESPN, Usyk gushed about his upcoming opponent while flexing his own credentials.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top of the sport,” Usyk wrote. “Rico is one of them—a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline and belief. I respect his journey; he’s truly the ‘King of Kickboxing.’ But this is boxing—a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too.”
As a pro boxer, Verhoeven has competed just once, knocking out Janos Finfera in the second round in 2014. The longtime Glory kickboxing champion won and defended his heavyweight throne more than any other athlete, racking up 13 defenses and multiple tournament titles as well. From 2012 to 2025, the 6-foot-5 striker from the Netherlands amassed a tremendous record with the promotion of 28-1, with his lone defeat against legendary skyscraper Semmy Schilt.
The “King of Kickboxing” also put out a statement about the match, as he will be crossing back over to the sweet science after a hall-of-fame-worthy career that allowed him to kick.
“I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so [I] started looking [for] the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed vs. undisputed. The best facing the best,” the 36-year-old penned.
The Ring announced on Friday that Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will be defending his heavyweight crown on May 23. He will be squaring off with kickboxing all-time great Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO Box; 66-10, 21 KOs KB) at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The event titled “Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons” will put up for grabs Usyk’s WBC belt, despite the heavyweight serving as the unified champion across all major sanctioning bodies. The boxing showcase will air on Dazn.
Unbeaten after 24 walks to the ring as a pro, Usyk appeared just once in 2025, where he mollywhopped Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to hold onto his titles while securing the IBF’s as well. Several of his recent outings the last few years have taken place in Saudi Arabia, where he squared off with names like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. In his last six bouts, he has beaten those three aforementioned boxers twice each.
In a statement provided to ESPN, Usyk gushed about his upcoming opponent while flexing his own credentials.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top of the sport,” Usyk wrote. “Rico is one of them—a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline and belief. I respect his journey; he’s truly the ‘King of Kickboxing.’ But this is boxing—a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too.”
Horse of a Different Color
As a pro boxer, Verhoeven has competed just once, knocking out Janos Finfera in the second round in 2014. The longtime Glory kickboxing champion won and defended his heavyweight throne more than any other athlete, racking up 13 defenses and multiple tournament titles as well. From 2012 to 2025, the 6-foot-5 striker from the Netherlands amassed a tremendous record with the promotion of 28-1, with his lone defeat against legendary skyscraper Semmy Schilt.
The “King of Kickboxing” also put out a statement about the match, as he will be crossing back over to the sweet science after a hall-of-fame-worthy career that allowed him to kick.
“I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it. I wasn’t looking for comfort, so [I] started looking [for] the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed vs. undisputed. The best facing the best,” the 36-year-old penned.
Legends collide where legends were built 🥊🦂
On May 23rd, under the shadows of the ancient giants, Oleksandr Usyk takes on Rico Verhoeven at the iconic Pyramids of Giza 🔥
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN 📺 pic.twitter.com/mHnLT625Du— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 27, 2026
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