Usyk Defends Against Kickboxing Champion
Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Dutch kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in May in Egypt. This marks Verhoeven's professional boxing debut after dominating kickboxing for over a decade — unusual crossover fight pits Usyk's undefeated boxing record against Verhoeven's striking pedigree from a different combat sport.
The fight, dubbed "Glory in Giza," will take place at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23, 2026. This marks a significant event for Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, chaired by Turki Alalshikh, which is promoting the bout. Usyk enters the ring with a flawless 24-0 professional record, with 15 of those victories coming by knockout. His recent resume includes wins over top heavyweights like Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, solidifying his status as a pound-for-pound great. The 39-year-old currently holds the IBF, WBA, and WBC heavyweight titles after vacating the WBO belt in November 2025. Rico Verhoeven, 36, is widely considered one of the greatest kickboxers of all time, having held the Glory heavyweight title for over a decade with 13 title defenses. He amassed a kickboxing record of 66 wins and 10 losses before vacating his title in November 2025 to pursue this boxing challenge. This bout represents a massive leap in competition for Verhoeven in the boxing world. His only professional boxing match was a knockout victory in 2014. Despite his limited boxing experience, he has trained with top boxers, including former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Verhoeven sought out the toughest challenge possible, framing the fight as "Undisputed versus undisputed." While Usyk brings the technical boxing skill, the 6'5" Verhoeven will possess a significant size and weight advantage over the Ukrainian champion. The WBC has officially sanctioned the contest, allowing Usyk's voluntary title defense against the crossover star. The event will be streamed globally on DAZN, bringing a unique spectacle to a historic landmark.
