Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on Saturday 23 May 2026 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Billed as “Glory in Giza: Undefeated Icons”, this crossover spectacle pits the sport’s most accomplished active heavyweight against a man who dominated kickboxing for over a decade. It is the first major boxing world title fight to be staged on Egyptian soil, and it will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN worldwide.
What is Usyk vs Verhoeven?
Usyk vs Verhoeven is a scheduled 12-round WBC heavyweight championship bout. Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBC titleholder and former undisputed heavyweight champion, puts his belt on the line against Rico Verhoeven, the long-reigning GLORY kickboxing heavyweight champion who is making just his second professional boxing appearance.
The WBC sanctioned the contest as a legitimate title defence despite Verhoeven’s limited boxing resume, a decision that has divided opinion across the sport. Usyk, who has outlined a three-fight plan to close his career, has positioned this as the first instalment: Verhoeven in May, followed by the winner of Wardley vs Dubois, and a potential trilogy with Tyson Fury. For Verhoeven, it represents the ultimate crossover challenge and a chance to achieve something no kickboxer has managed before.
The undercard features three world title fights, including Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super middleweight title and Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov for the WBA regular welterweight belt.
When is Usyk vs Verhoeven?
The fight takes place on Saturday 23 May 2026. The main card is expected to begin at approximately 7:00 PM local time in Egypt (EET), with the main event ringwalks anticipated at around 11:00 PM local time. For UK viewers, that translates to a 10:00 PM BST ringwalk time. In the United States, the main event is expected at approximately 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT.
Where is Usyk vs Verhoeven?
The bout takes place at a purpose-built outdoor arena at the Pyramids of Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza, the last surviving wonder of the ancient world, provides the backdrop to what promises to be one of the most visually striking fight nights in boxing history.
This is the first time a major boxing world title fight has been staged at the Pyramids, though the Egyptian government has increasingly opened the site to high-profile sporting and entertainment events in recent years. The open-air setting in May means fighters and fans alike can expect warm, dry conditions with evening temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Key Contenders
Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) is widely regarded as the finest heavyweight of his generation and one of the most technically gifted fighters in the sport’s history. The Ukrainian southpaw won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games, became the first four-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2018, and then moved up to heavyweight where he dethroned Anthony Joshua in 2021. He became undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Tyson Fury via split decision in Riyadh in May 2024, and cemented that status with a spectacular fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. At 39 years of age, Usyk remains unbeaten across two weight divisions and has defeated every significant heavyweight of his era, including Fury (twice), Joshua (twice), and Dubois (twice).
Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO in boxing; 66-10 in kickboxing) is one of the most dominant heavyweight kickboxers in history. The Dutchman, known as “The Prince of Kickboxing”, won the inaugural GLORY Heavyweight Championship in 2013 and held the title for an extraordinary 4,220 days, making 13 consecutive successful defences before vacating the belt in November 2025. Standing 6ft 5in and typically weighing around 120 kg, Verhoeven holds GLORY records for most wins (28), most title fight victories (14), and the longest winning streak (27). His only professional boxing fight came in 2014, when he stopped János Finfera in the second round. The size advantage is significant: Verhoeven is expected to outweigh Usyk by approximately 18 to 20 kg on fight night.
The central question is whether Verhoeven’s power, size, and combat sports pedigree can offset his near-total lack of boxing experience against one of the most skilled technicians the heavyweight division has ever seen. Most observers expect Usyk’s footwork, timing, and ring craft to prove the difference, but Verhoeven’s natural athleticism and knockout power ensure there is an element of unpredictability.
How to Watch
Usyk vs Verhoeven will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN worldwide. The fight is available as a pay-per-view event in most markets.
United Kingdom: DAZN PPV. Subscribers to DAZN’s Ultimate package have PPV events included at no extra cost. The main event ringwalk is expected at approximately 10:00 PM BST.
United States: DAZN PPV. The main event is expected at approximately 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT. DAZN is available via its app on smart TVs, mobile devices, gaming consoles, and web browsers.
Europe and Rest of World: DAZN holds global broadcast rights for this event. Availability varies by territory, but the fight is expected to be accessible in over 200 countries and territories through the DAZN platform.
DAZN is currently offering a seven-day free trial to new customers, though PPV events may require an additional purchase depending on the subscription tier.
History and Records
This fight represents a rare crossover between boxing and kickboxing at world title level. While combat sport crossovers have a long and often controversial history, from Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki in 1976 to Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor in 2017, it is almost unheard of for a reigning world champion to risk a legitimate title against a fighter from another discipline.
For Usyk, this bout continues a career of historic firsts. He is the only boxer in the four-belt era to have become undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight. His knockout of Daniel Dubois made him the first man to win the undisputed heavyweight title twice since Muhammad Ali. A victory over Verhoeven would take his record to 25-0 and further cement his legacy as one of the great heavyweights.
The Pyramids of Giza venue adds its own layer of history. While boxing has been staged in remarkable locations before, from the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Kinshasa to the “Thrilla in Manila”, this will be the first world title fight held at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Egypt has been making a concerted push to attract major sporting events, and “Glory in Giza” represents a landmark moment for the country’s ambitions.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for “Glory in Giza” are on sale through DAZN’s official ticketing partners. Prices start from approximately $425 (around £335) for standard seating, with premium and hospitality packages available at significantly higher price points. Given the unique venue and the global profile of the event, demand has been high and certain categories have already sold out.
Tickets are also available through authorised resellers including TicketKosta and Billet-de-match. As with all major boxing events, fans should be cautious of unofficial resellers and purchase only through verified platforms to avoid counterfeit tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Usyk vs Verhoeven start?
The main event ringwalks are expected at approximately 11:00 PM local time in Egypt on Saturday 23 May 2026, which is 10:00 PM BST in the UK and 5:00 PM ET in the United States.
Where is Usyk vs Verhoeven being held?
The fight takes place at a purpose-built arena at the Pyramids of Giza, near Cairo, Egypt.
How can I watch Usyk vs Verhoeven?
The fight is available exclusively on DAZN PPV worldwide. You will need a DAZN subscription and may need to purchase the PPV separately depending on your subscription tier.
Who won Usyk’s last fight?
Usyk defeated Daniel Dubois by fifth-round knockout at Wembley Stadium in his most recent outing, retaining his undisputed heavyweight championship.
What is Rico Verhoeven’s boxing record?
Verhoeven has one professional boxing fight on his record, a second-round knockout victory over János Finfera in 2014. He is primarily known as a kickboxer, where his professional record stands at 66-10 with 13 consecutive GLORY Heavyweight title defences.