Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven to Clash in Egypt
Ukrainian boxing star Oleksandr Usyk and Dutch kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven will face off on May 23 in Egypt. The WBC and The Ring titles are at stake. This high-profile event will take place in Giza, near the iconic pyramids, with Kyivstar TV handling the broadcast. The bout has been unofficially dubbed “King of Boxing vs. King of Kickboxing.”
Usyk’s Career and Status
Oleksandr Usyk currently holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world titles. He retains these belts despite vacating the WBO title in the same division. The WBC has sanctioned this as a voluntary title defense for Usyk, marking a key step in his boxing journey. In mid-April, Usyk and Verhoeven held their first face-off, adding to the anticipation surrounding the fight.
The undercard will feature seven bouts, four of which are title fights. One of these is an IBF title eliminator between Cuba’s Frank Sanchez and American Richard Torres Jr. The winner could become Usyk’s next opponent.
Usyk last fought in July 2025, knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to become an undisputed world champion for the third time. Tyson Fury is also considering a third fight with Usyk, highlighting the significant interest in the Ukrainian boxer’s career.
This matchup carries major weight for the boxing world, as it brings together two elite athletes from different combat sports—boxing and kickboxing. The Usyk-Verhoeven fight not only underscores boxing’s popularity in Ukraine but could also shape the trajectory of Usyk’s career, opening doors to future title bouts. A win here would solidify Usyk’s standing as one of the top boxers of his era and boost his international profile.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming clash between Usyk and Verhoeven, it's important to note that this isn't the only major event on the horizon. In fact, both Egypt and Greece are set to host significant boxing matches, featuring top-tier fighters like Mayweather. These matchups promise to further elevate the global boxing scene, making it a thrilling time for fans and athletes alike.