Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is set to compete for the WBC title against global kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, reports Baltimore Chronicle. The bout has already generated international attention and is being hailed as one of the most high-profile combat sports events of the year, fueled by Usyk’s boxing credentials and Verhoeven’s long-standing dominance in kickboxing. The event’s organization was confirmed by Turki Al Al-Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.
For Usyk, this fight marks another milestone following his decisive victory over Daniel Dubois. In that encounter, Usyk achieved a fifth-round knockout, later recognized as the best knockout of 2025. Renowned for his technical precision, agility, and tactical intelligence, Usyk has consistently neutralized opponents with greater physical power. The upcoming match presents a unique challenge, as it pits him against an elite athlete whose foundation lies in kickboxing rather than boxing.
Legends collide where legends were built 🥊🦂
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) February 27, 2026
On May 23, under the shadows of the ancient giants, Oleksandr Usyk takes on Rico Verhoeven at the iconic Pyramids of Giza 🔥
Glory in Giza | May 23 | LIVE on DAZN
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Rico Verhoeven was born on April 10, 1989, in Bergen op Zoom, North Brabant, Netherlands. Introduced to martial arts by his father, Jos Verhoeven, a karate black belt, he began training in Kyokushin karate at six before transitioning to kickboxing. His early exposure to adult-level competition at age sixteen helped shape a fighting style defined by resilience, discipline, and strength.
Verhoeven launched his professional kickboxing career in 2004, gradually gaining international recognition. In 2008, he signed with K-1 and claimed a notable victory over Koichi Watanabe in Hawaii. Later, he competed in the It’s Showtime promotion, defeating several prominent opponents. Joining Glory in 2012, Verhoeven captured the heavyweight championship in 2014, a title he successfully defended for multiple years.
In addition to kickboxing, Verhoeven has competed in professional boxing, securing a knockout win in 2014, and in mixed martial arts, debuting in 2015 with a technical knockout victory. Nevertheless, kickboxing has remained his primary discipline, where he has maintained top heavyweight rankings since 2014, making him a formidable opponent for any professional boxer.
The Usyk-Verhoeven matchup represents a convergence of distinct combat disciplines: traditional professional boxing and elite kickboxing. While the fight will follow boxing rules, Verhoeven’s physical power and extensive experience in kickboxing could influence the pace and dynamics of the bout. Usyk’s superior professional boxing experience at the highest level adds a compelling layer of strategy, making the May 23 showdown in Giza highly anticipated by fight fans worldwide.
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