Oleksandr Usyk’s next title defense will take place on one of the most iconic stages in the world, as the three-time undisputed champion will defend his WBC heavyweight title against GLORY kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
The event, titled “Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons,” will stream live and exclusively on DAZN. Usyk is coming off a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in July and has defeated Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Dubois twice each since 2021. With limited options at the top of the division, Usyk opted for a crossover clash against one of kickboxing’s most accomplished champions.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” Usyk said. “Rico is one of them - a powerful athlete and a great champion. 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.”
Watch Usyk vs. Dubois 2 highlights: Watch
Verhoeven (66-10 in kickboxing), a 36-year-old from the Netherlands, held the GLORY heavyweight title for 4,220 days and defended it 13 times from 2013 to 2025. He has one professional boxing bout, a 2014 knockout win over Janos Finfera, and one MMA appearance. “Usyk is undisputed in boxing,” Verhoeven said. “Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
In the co-main event, Hamzah Sheeraz faces Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super middleweight title. Sheeraz returns following his win over Edgar Berlanga and will be looking to secure his first world title against the unbeaten Begic.
Another key bout sees Jack Catterall take on Shakhram Giyasov for the WBA Regular welterweight title, with the winner expected to be ordered to face full champion Rolando Romero. The card also includes a notable heavyweight clash between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr..
In the women’s ranks, Mizuki Hiruta defends her WBO super flyweight title against Mai Soliman, adding another championship bout to the lineup.
Additional fights on the card include Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley at cruiserweight, along with appearances from local prospects Mahmoud Mobark and Omar Hikal, as the event builds into a multi-fight showcase alongside the headline bout.
Fight card:
▪️Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for the WBC world heavyweight title
▪️Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for the vacant WBO super middleweight title
▪️Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov, 12 rounds, for the WBA Regular welterweight title
▪️Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr., 10 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Mizuki Hiruta vs. Mai Soliman, 10 x 2 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO super flyweight title
▪️Basem Mamdouh vs. Jamar Talley, 8 rounds, cruiserweight
▪️Mahmoud Mobark vs. Michael Kalyalya, 6 rounds, TBA
▪️Omar Hikal vs. Ali Sserunkuma, 6 rounds, TBA
