Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed he will put his WBC heavyweight crown on the line against kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven in a spectacular showdown at the Pyramids of Giza.
The Ukrainian boxing sensation will face the Dutch combat sports star on 23 May in Egypt, marking his return to the ring following last summer’s emphatic victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium.
The announcement caps a week of teased revelations from the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
Whilst the pairing had been rumoured in recent weeks, the extraordinary Egyptian venue has caught the boxing world by surprise.
Oleksandr Usyk remains unbeaten from 24 fights
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Usyk enters this contest with a flawless professional record of 24 victories, including 15 knockouts, having previously unified the cruiserweight division before conquering the heavyweight ranks twice over.
The 39-year-old currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, cementing his status as boxing’s premier heavyweight.
Verhoeven, meanwhile, brings a vastly different pedigree to proceedings.
The 36-year-old Dutchman reigned supreme in kickboxing for over a decade, compiling a 66-10 record with 21 knockouts during his remarkable tenure as heavyweight champion since 2013.
However, this Egyptian encounter represents merely his second professional boxing bout, following a second-round stoppage victory in Germany back in 2014.
Usyk expressed admiration for his opponent whilst making clear the distinction between their respective disciplines.
Rico Verhoeven is one of the best heavyweight kickboxers of the last generation
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“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” the Ukrainian told Ring Magazine.
“Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing.”
The champion was quick to underline the challenge awaiting Verhoeven in the squared circle.
Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Britain’s best, including Tyson Fury twice
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GETTY“But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings,” Usyk added. “I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring.”
Verhoeven spoke of his hunger for fresh challenges after dominating kickboxing for more than a decade.
“I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish,” the Dutchman declared.
“But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it.”
The former GLORY champion explained his motivation for crossing into boxing’s elite ranks.
“I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world,” Verhoeven said.
“Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
