Unique WBC 'King of the Nile' Belt to Be Contested by Usyk and Verhoeven

Victory and Prize

According to Главком: A special WBC championship belt named 'King of the Nile' will go to the winner of the bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven. Scheduled for May 23 in Egypt’s Giza, near the pyramids, the fight marks a voluntary title defense sanctioned by the WBC. Usyk, who vacated the WBO heavyweight belt, still holds the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles. The Ring magazine’s championship is also on the line.

The first face-off between Usyk and Verhoeven took place in mid-April. In Ukraine, the event will be broadcast on the Kyivstar TV platform. Usyk’s last fight was in July 2025, when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round.

Challenges and Ambitions

Serhiy Lapin, a director at Ready To Fight, commented:

“Becoming a three-time undisputed heavyweight champion is history in the making. It’s a huge challenge, and Oleksandr is deeply motivated to achieve it.”

Currently, Usyk holds three belts: WBC, WBA, and IBF, while the WBO title will be at stake in the Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois matchup.

In early May 2026, Usyk lost his top spot in The Ring magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings, but he remains determined to reclaim the summit of the heavyweight division. The fight with Verhoeven is set to be a pivotal moment for the Ukrainian boxer as he aims to once again become the undisputed champion.

This matchup is not only crucial for Oleksandr Usyk’s career but also for the broader landscape of Ukrainian boxing. A victory over Verhoeven could help Usyk return to elite status and reaffirm his ambition of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. The Giza showdown also has the potential to draw international attention to Ukrainian athletes and their achievements on the global stage.

As Usyk prepares for this significant bout, his position in the boxing world is under scrutiny, especially after his recent drop in The Ring's pound-for-pound rankings. A victory against Verhoeven could not only solidify his legacy but also propel him back to the top of these prestigious rankings, highlighting the intense competition within the heavyweight division.