UNDISPUTED heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk returns to the ring against former kickboxing world champion Rico Verhoeven this weekend!
The fight is set to take place in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
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Usyk after his last fight against Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium Credit: Reuters
Rico Verhoeven is regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers in history Credit: Getty – Contributor
In his last fight, Usyk brutally knocked out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round to become a three-time undisputed world champion.
The 39-year-old has said that he “respects people who reach the very top in their sport, Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and great champion.”
The Ukrainian has certainly done that himself, winning all 24 of his professional bouts including two fights against both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to become the undisputed heavyweight champion.
JattvibeSport put the undefeated two-weight champion top of the pound-for-pound rankings.
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Verhoeven hasn’t boxed since 2014 when he fought once, winning by knockout.
His kickboxing record in Glory, the sport’s premiere competition is 28-1 – the Dutchman held the world title for 12 years.
However, he is facing a different sort of animal in Usyk as he goes into this fight a huge underdog.
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When is Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven?
The heavyweight bout will take place on Saturday, May 23.
Organisers have confirmed that the main card will get underway from 6pm BST / 1pm ET.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven ring-walks are set to start at roughly 10pm BST / 5pm ET depending on undercard bouts.
It will take place at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
Where to watch Usyk vs Verhoeven
Viewers can become a DAZN customer for just £15.99 per month.
For the real boxing lovers, there is an ‘Ultimate’ package for £24.99 per month and it gives you access to a bonus 12 pay-per-view fights each year at no extra cost.
Usyk vs Verhoeven and the full undercard will be broadcast live on DAZN worldwide.
JattvibeSport will also keep you up to date on all the action with our live blog.
Who is on the full card for ‘Glory in Giza’?
*Subject to change
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC Heavyweight Title
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic – WBC Super Middleweight Title
Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov – WBA Regular Welterweight World Championship
Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr
Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman – Ring WBO Super Flyweight World Championship
Basen Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley
Mahmoud Mobark vs Michael Kalvalya
Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
May
Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
Sat 30 – Dmitry Bivol vs Michael Eifert – DAZN
Sat 30 – Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett – DAZN
June
Sat 6 – Fame Fighting v Misfits Boxing – The Jattvibe
Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
Sat 6 – Chris Billam-Smith vs Ryan Rozicki – Paramount+
Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
Sat 13 – Antonio Vargas vs Jesse “Bam” Rodrigues – DAZN
Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
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