The boxing world is on the precipice of history. On Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, one of the most visually stunning and historically significant backdrops in human history will play host to an unprecedented boxing spectacle. Undefeated undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will defend his crowns against the towering kickboxing legend turned boxer, Rico Verhoeven, at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Scheduled for 12 rounds in the glamour division, this matchup brings together two master combat sports athletes under the desert sky.
This contest isn't just a regular title defense; it is for the ultimate prize in boxing—the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Usyk puts his entire collection of gold on the line, defending the WBC, WBA, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight titles.
Usyk’s dominance in the division has been absolute. This bout will mark his:
6th defense of the WBA Super World Heavyweight Championship (won against Anthony Joshua in September 2021).
5th defense of The Ring Heavyweight Championship (won against Anthony Joshua in August 2022).
3rd defense of the WBC World Heavyweight Championship (won against Tyson Fury in May 2024).
1st defense of his newly re-won IBF World Heavyweight Championship, which he captured from Daniel Dubois in July 2025.
On paper, this matchup presents a fascinating clash of styles, experience, and physical attributes.
| Metric | Oleksandr Usyk | Rico Verhoeven |
| Record | 24-0 (15 KOs) | 1-0 (1 KO) |
| Age | 39 | 37 |
| Height | 6'3" | 6'5" |
| Reach | 78 inches | 79 inches |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| KO Percentage | 63% | 100% |
Usyk is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted southpaws to ever lace up gloves. Having logged 206 professional boxing rounds across 24 fights, the 39-year-old Ukrainian has mastered the art of distance, footwork, and mental warfare. His resume is a graveyard of elite heavyweights, including back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua, a tactical masterclass against Tyson Fury, and his recent 5th-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July 2025.
Verhoeven, while a legendary figure in kickboxing, enters the boxing ring as an enigmatic wildcard. He holds a 1-0 professional boxing record, with that single victory coming by way of a devastating knockout. Verhoeven holds a distinct physical advantage, standing 2 inches taller than Usyk with a 1-inch reach advantage. While Usyk holds a massive edge in boxing experience, Verhoeven’s sheer size, championship pedigree in combat sports, and 100% knockout ratio make him a uniquely dangerous threat.
The historic event is timed perfectly for a global audience, with the main event ringwalks expected at 9:00 PM UTC live from Giza.
Here is when you can expect the main event to begin in your time zone:
United States: 5:00 PM EST / 2:00 PM PST
United Kingdom: 10:00 PM BST
Local Time (Egypt): 11:00 PM EET
The comprehensive undercard—featuring a WBA World Welterweight title fight between Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov, alongside a stellar heavyweight eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr.—will begin broadcasting earlier in the day at 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST in the US, and 4:00 PM BST in the UK.
The entire blockbuster card will be broadcast globally via DAZN PPV. Fans looking to catch the action can stream the event seamlessly on PC, Apple devices, Android, Fire TV, Roku, or Smart TVs via the DAZN app.
You can also watch boxing event Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeve for free on BoxingBox.
