Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, it was announced Friday by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine. With the WBO title since vacated, Usyk enters the Verhoeven fight as the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion. The Dutchman held the Glory Kickboxing heavyweight title for over 4,200 days — more than 11 consecutive years — and compiled a record of 66-10 with 21 knockouts across 76 professional kickboxing bouts. “I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish,” Verhoeven said. The difference here is that the WBC heavyweight title — the most prestigious prize in the sport’s marquee division — will be on the line, lending legitimacy the Mayweather-McGregor bout did not carry.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 27, 2026 20:44 UTC