Oleksandr Usyk defends WBC heavyweight title vs. Rico Verhoeven at Giza

Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Dutch kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on 23 May 2026 at an outdoor arena built beside the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. Usyk, the reigning undisputed champion who has beaten Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois twice each, will weigh about 233 lb, while Verhoeven steps into the ring at roughly 259 lb after a 12‑year hiatus from professional boxing.

Usyk entered the bout as the clear favorite, with fellow boxer Canelo Álvarez and several commentators predicting a knockout win in the early rounds. Verhoeven, who has a 66‑10 record in kickboxing and only one boxing win from 2014, vowed to take the belt and said he is open to a future clash with Joshua. If Usyk loses, the WBA and IBF belts he holds would be vacated because those bodies do not recognize the fight as a title contest. Potential next opponents for Usyk include Agit Kabayel and Moses Itauma.