Do not rub your eyes. Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven at Egypt's world-renowned Pyramids of Giza – a fight that has taken the boxing world by surprise.
On Friday evening, Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine announced that Usyk will take on former kickboxing heavyweight champion Verhoeven for the WBC heavyweight title on May 23.
In a match-up that has been described as ‘Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons’, the undefeated Ukrainian is set to go head-to-head with Verhoeven, who has been undefeated in his sport for over a decade.
The 36-year-old, who competed in the heavyweight division of kickboxing promotion GLORY, was the promotion’s longest-reigning heavyweight champion.
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He officially vacated his title in November 2025 after a record-breaking 12-year, 4,418-day reign with 13 successful title defences. His final fight was a unanimous decision win over Artem Vakhitov in June last year.
Verhoeven now returns to boxing for the first time since 2014 and is hoping to become the first man to defeat Usyk in his professional career.
“I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it," he said.
"I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
Usyk also commented on the fight, saying: “I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion.
"Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. 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. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”
After the announcement was made on Friday, some fans criticised the WBC for sanctioning the bout, which will take place at the Pyramids of Giza, a 4,600-year-old world heritage site consisting of three main tombs – Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure
One said: "A kick-boxer getting that WBC heavyweight title shot over the ‘interim’ champ Kabayel. Massive Usyk fan but have little to zero interest in this. Might aswell move the division on with Kabayel as champ."
A second commented: "Oleksandr Usyk has delivered every fight we asked for multiple times over so if he wants to have some fun against a legend from another sport in an awesome setting then crack on. However, the fact the WBC are supposedly sanctioning it as a legit title fight is diabolical."
A third wrote: "What the actual f*** are the WBC sanctioning??? This ain’t a real boxing match. Fun to watch maybe. Title fight!? HELL NO."
A fourth added: "I love Usyk but this is actually bull****. Rico has only 1 pro bout and he walks straight into a WBC title shot. He should’ve been stripped and Kabayel promoted imo."
Thoughts on the fight? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Oleksandr Usyk, Boxing, Boxing News, Fan Reactions
Jack Kenmare