Oleksandr Usyk defeats Rico Verhoeven at Giza Pyramids in crossover heavyweight bout

Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk faced kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven under modified boxing rules at the foot of the Giza Pyramids. Usyk retained his title after a 12‑round contest, using precise footwork and counter‑punching to neutralise Verhoeven’s reach and power. The bout drew an estimated 180 million viewers worldwide, one of the most‑watched combat‑sports events ever.

The fight illustrates a growing trend of crossover contests as boxing, kickboxing and mixed‑martial‑arts organisations seek shared platforms and larger audiences. Promoters selected the iconic Egyptian backdrop deliberately to maximise global streaming reach, and the event’s success is being cited as a signal of structural change in the combat‑sports industry.