Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven in a May 2026 boxing match in Giza, Egypt.

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, in Giza, Egypt, in a highly anticipated cross-sport bout. Usyk, the unified champion with a 24-0 record, faces Verhoeven, a former dominant kickboxing champion with one professional boxing fight to his name. The WBC approved the matchup despite Verhoeven’s limited boxing experience. The 12-round fight, branded “Glory in Giza,” will stream on DAZN and marks Usyk’s first bout in North Africa. Both fighters have expressed mutual respect, with Usyk calling Verhoeven a top-tier champion and Verhoeven describing the fight as his ultimate challenge.