Oleksandr Usyk faces Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt, airing live on DAZN in a 12-round heavyweight title fight scheduled for 10 p.m. local / 5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. UK.
Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) defends his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) in an outdoor event staged at the Pyramids of Giza. The fight marks a rare crossover bout sanctioned as an official championship defense.
Fight Date and Start Time
Event: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
Date: May 23
Venue: Pyramids of Giza, Giza, Egypt
Main Event: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, heavyweight
Start Time: 10 p.m. local / 5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. UK
PPV Price: To be confirmed
How to Watch: Live on DAZN
The event is fully scheduled.
How to Watch
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven will stream live worldwide on DAZN. Final broadcast structure and potential pay-per-view pricing have not yet been confirmed.
Betting Odds
Early betting lines list Oleksandr Usyk as a heavy favorite at approximately 1/20. Rico Verhoeven enters as a large underdog around 14/1, with the draw listed near 33/1.
Where the Fight Fits Now
Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBC heavyweight title and remains unbeaten after championship wins across cruiserweight and heavyweight. Rico Verhoeven enters as a decorated kickboxing champion stepping into his second professional boxing bout.
Usyk enters the bout unbeaten and widely regarded as the leading heavyweight of his era. His recent run includes victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and other top contenders. The Ukrainian southpaw built his reputation through range control, constant footwork, and combination punching that breaks opponents down over rounds.
Verhoeven arrives with a limited professional boxing record but an extensive career in kickboxing. His lone boxing appearance came in 2014 when he stopped Janos Finfera in Germany. Since then, Verhoeven has remained active in kickboxing while holding the GLORY heavyweight championship for over a decade.
The May 23 result will show whether a crossover challenge can compete under championship rules or whether the heavyweight division continues under Oleksandr Usyk’s command right now.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Tale of the Tape
Tale of the Tape
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
Nationality
Oleksandr Usyk: Ukrainian
Rico Verhoeven: Dutch
Record
Oleksandr Usyk: 24-0 (15 KOs)
Rico Verhoeven: 1-0 (1 KO)
Age on fight night
Oleksandr Usyk: 39
Rico Verhoeven: 37
Stance
Oleksandr Usyk: Southpaw
Rico Verhoeven: Orthodox
Height
Oleksandr Usyk: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Rico Verhoeven: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Reach
Oleksandr Usyk: 78 in (198 cm)
Rico Verhoeven: Not listed
Titles
Oleksandr Usyk: WBC Heavyweight Champion
Rico Verhoeven: Challenger
Underestimating Verhoeven because of his modest boxing record is short-sighted. His decade-long dominance in GLORY and size advantage make him a real test for Usyk. Betting odds ignore ring IQ and fightcraft carried over from elite kickboxing; this matchup could expose complacency, not be a foregone conclusion.
Staging a WBC title defense against a primarily kickboxing veteran is a dangerous precedent that cheapens the heavyweight division. Usyk deserved a legitimate boxing contender, not a crossover novelty in the shadow of the Pyramids. Sanctioning bodies should protect legitimacy, not chase spectacle and paydays.