Oleksandr Usyk Retains Heavyweight Titles Ahead of May 23 Verhoeven Bout in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk Rico Verhoeven heavyweight title Giza fight IBF

The International Boxing Federation announced that Oleksandr Usyk will remain its heavyweight champion for his upcoming fight against kick‑boxing star Rico Verhoeven on 23 May in Giza, Egypt. The WBC has also sanctioned the bout and will keep its belt on the line, while the WBA confirmed its title will be at stake if Usyk wins.

The fight, headlining the “Glory in Giza” card near the pyramids, pits the unbeaten Ukrainian champion – who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF belts – against the Dutch fighter who has only one professional boxing match on record. If Usyk loses, he would be stripped of the WBC and IBF titles immediately, ending his reign as unified heavyweight champion.

Verhoeven, a celebrated kickboxer, entered the contest with limited boxing experience, the only bout being a 12‑year‑old loss to Janos Finfera. The bout is seen as a high‑risk test for Usyk’s heavyweight dominance.

Sources

IBF Keeps Oleksandr Usyk As Champion For Verhoeven Fight [www.boxing247.com]

3 months ago

IBF drops final Oleksandr Usyk decision for Rico Verhoeven clash in Giza [www.essentiallysports.com]

3 months ago

Oleksandr Usyk will immediately be stripped of world title if he loses to Verhoeven [boxingnewsonline.net]

3 months ago