Boxing Showdown: Usyk vs. Verhoeven
On May 23, 2026, Egypt will host a boxing match between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Usyk will defend his WBC title. The event, dubbed 'Glory in Giza,' kicks off at 6:00 PM Kyiv time, with the main fight expected to start around 11:45 PM. In Ukraine, the bout will be broadcast on Kyivstar TV.
Fighter Statistics
At 39 years old, Usyk boasts an undefeated record of 24 wins in 24 fights, 15 of which came by knockout. He currently holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF belts after vacating the WBO heavyweight title. His last fight was in July 2025, when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to become an undisputed world champion for the third time.
Rico Verhoeven, a 37-year-old Dutch fighter, has 76 bouts under his belt, winning 66 (21 by knockout) and losing 10. Standing at 196 cm and weighing 117.3 kg, Verhoeven has already drawn predictions from experts regarding the upcoming match.
“Honestly, I don’t see any major threats for Usyk in this fight... My prediction? It won’t go 12 rounds... It’ll end in the 8th or 9th round by technical knockout or a straight knockout.”
Viktor Petrichenko
Another analyst, Vyacheslav Senchenko, believes that 'Verhoeven will hardly be able to counter Oleksandr Usyk, as the skill gap is enormous... I think the fight will end early with a Usyk victory.' Peter Fury, commenting on Verhoeven’s preparation, said: 'He (Verhoeven) is ready and will give it his all. I think he’ll surprise a lot of people.'
The undercard features seven fights, four of which are title bouts. One highlight is the IBF title eliminator between Cuba’s Frank Sanchez and American Richard Torres Jr. The event will also be available for streaming in Poland and the Czech Republic via Megogo.
The Usyk-Verhoeven matchup promises to be a standout moment in the boxing world, with fans eagerly awaiting this clash.
This fight marks a significant milestone in Oleksandr Usyk’s career as he continues to defend his titles on the global stage. Given his flawless record, Usyk has every chance to retain his belts, but facing Verhoeven—who brings extensive kickboxing experience—could prove a serious test. The success of this bout, along with a stacked undercard featuring championship fights, underscores the growing popularity of boxing in the region and beyond.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming showdown, it's worth noting that the fight will also feature the unique WBC 'King of the Nile' belt on the line. This prestigious title adds an extra layer of excitement to the match between Usyk and Verhoeven. For more details on this exclusive championship and its significance, check out our article on the WBC 'King of the Nile' belt.