This is not the first fight of 2026 we expected for boxing’s heavwyeight king Oleksandr Usyk – a crossover showdown with kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven.
The 39-year-old Usyk – still perfect as a professional and a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion – has beaten everything put in front of him in the paid ranks. Including two wins over Tyson Fury and two over Anthony Joshua.
Usyk, who had earlier been undisputed at cruiserweight as well, had been expected to meet American Deontay Wilder in 2026, but instead he steps in to meet Dutch legend Verhoeven (who had been linked with an Anthony Joshua fight in February).
It’s quite a surprise, and it has actually been sanctioned as a world heavyweight title bout with the WBC (World Boxing Council) confirming that Usyk’s belt WILL be on the line come fight night on May 23.
Date, start time and ring walks
- Fight date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Location: Pyramids of Giza, Giza, Egypt
- Scheduled rounds: 12 x 3‑minute rounds, heavyweight
Local organisers are targeting a prime‑time evening slot in Egypt, which would place the main event ring walks around late evening locally and earlier in the day for US viewers, with exact timings to be confirmed closer to fight night.
We expect the main event to be on deck just after 10pm UK time, which would be 5pm ET and 2pm Pacific in the US.
TV channel and live stream
The bout will headline a DAZN event, with the fight being distributed globally as part of DAZN’s premium boxing output.
- UK: Expected to be shown live on DAZN via app and smart devices.
- US: Expected to be available on DAZN in North America.
As yet we do not have confirmation as to whether the fight will be a PPV (pay per view) affair. Both of Usyk’s wins over Fury, and both of his successes against Joshua, were PPVs.
Usyk vs Verhoeven odds
On paper this is a total mismatch and the odds at least partially reflect that. Usyk is currently trading as a 1/20 favourite with Verhoeven the 14/1 outsider and the Draw a 33/1 shot.
In reality, 1/20 is still not short enough about Usyk given the clear gulf in ability and experience in a boxing ring.
Tale of the tape and key facts
| Category | Usyk | Verhoeven |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Ukrainian | Dutch |
| Boxing record | 24–0 (15 KOs) | 1–0 (1 KO) |
| Age on fight night | 39 | 37 |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) | NA |
| Titles | WBC heavyweight champion | Challenger |
| Pro boxing debut | 2013 (cruiserweight) | 2014 |
Oleksandr Usyk record and biggest wins
The brilliant Usyk has a perfect 24‑0 record as a professional with 15 of those wins coming by knockout. His recent run includes two victories each over Fury, Joshua and Daniel Dubois, cementing his position at the top of the heavyweight division.
Usyk’s last outing listed on BoxRec was a spectacular fifth-round stoppage win over Dubois at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2025. Before that, he outpointed Fury twice in Riyadh in December 2024 and May 2024, following earlier wins over Dubois in Wroclaw and Joshua in Jeddah and London.
Usyk had previously became undisputed at cruiserweight by beating the likes of Murat Gassiev, Mairis Briedis and Tony Bellew before stepping up to heavyweight.
Before turning professional, Usyk had compiled an incredible 335-15 record in the amateurs, and he claimed Olympic gold at the London 2012 Games before turning over.
Rico Verhoeven boxing record
Rico Verhoeven’s professional boxing career currently consists of one bout – yes a solitary, single, bout.
Said bout took place on April 26, 2014, at Mix Fight Gala XV in Darmstadt, Germany. Originally slated to face Nikolaj Falin, Verhoeven instead boxed Hungarian fighter János Finfera after a late opponent change.
Verhoeven stopped Finfera by knockout in the second round of a scheduled four‑round heavyweight contest, with the official result listed as a round‑two KO at 1:40. That performance left him with a 1–0 (1 KO) boxing record, and he has not boxed professionally since that night more than a decade ago.
To say facing Usyk in his second pro fight is a step up, would be a pretty laughable understatement.
Verhoeven a kickboxing great
Verhoeven is unquestionably one of the most accomplished heavyweight kickboxers of his generation, holding the GLORY heavyweight title for an eternity and putting together a long winning streak against top‑level opposition. Rico holds a 28-1 GLORY record with 10 KOs included.
To put his dominance into perspective, he has held that GLORY heavyweight title for 11 years now since claiming it way back in 2015.
What’s at stake
Usyk will be putting his WBC heavyweight title on the line, with the fight treated as an official championship defence rather than an exhibition. A surprise (and a disappointment) to many boxing purists.
