Usyk to defend WBC title against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will defend his WBC World heavyweight title on May 23 against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KOs).

Fight will be held in Pyramids of Giza, Egypt.

The fight will headline an event dubbed “Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons” and stream live and exclusively on DAZN.

Usyk last fought on July last year stopping Daniel Dubois in round five to become undisputed heavyweight champion for second time. He was undisputed also in cruiserweight.

Usyk since then relinquished some of titles. He was in negotiation to fight former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

The announcement on Friday was a surprise.

Rico Verhoeven is regarded one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. He has record of 66-10 in kickboxing. He was longest-reigning heavyweight champion in GLORY.

Verhoeven only pro boxing fight was in April 2024, when he stopped Hungary’s, Janos Finfera, who was that time 0-5, in second round.

“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” Usyk said in a statement. “Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline and belief. I respect his journey; he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.

“I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too.”

Fighting out of the Netherlands, Verhoeven held the Glory heavyweight title for 4,220 days, with 13 successful title defenses from 2013 to 2025.

“I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish,” Verhoeven said. “But staying at the top didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it”.

“Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”