Usyk vs Verhoeven: Details emerge one week before pyramids showdown
Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven (photo: Getty Images)
Less than a week remains until Saturday, May 23, when heavyweight division leader Oleksandr Usyk will return to the ring after a long break. The Ukrainian champion faces an unusually exotic and at the same time risky voluntary title defense against longtime world kickboxing dominator, Dutch fighter Rico Verhoeven.
Ring in the desert
The organizers of the boxing night (led by the head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh) have prepared a true visual spectacle for fans. The fight will take place in the historic heart of Egypt, directly at the foot of the ancient Giza pyramids, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A temporary sports arena is currently being built in the desert. Construction is ongoing 24/7, with workers assembling stands and installing the ring directly in front of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The organizers promise not just a sporting event, but a large-scale visual thriller.
Photo: fight poster
Title status: strict WBA and IBF conditions
The WBC world championship belt and The Ring magazine title will be on the line in this matchup. Initially, the World Boxing Council planned to label the bout a "special event", but later officially sanctioned it as a full title defense.
At the same time, other boxing organizations have imposed strict conditions on the Ukrainian due to Verhoeven’s lack of a significant boxing ranking.
The IBF has officially allowed Usyk to hold this fight, but on the condition that the belt itself will not be at stake. If the Ukrainian wins, he will retain the title, but if an upset occurs and he loses, the IBF belt will immediately be declared vacant.
The WBA issued a similar statement: the organization retains Usyk’s status as its super champion, but Verhoeven cannot challenge for the title. Only in the event of a victory will the Dutch fighter gain the right to enter the organization’s official rankings.
Background and odds
For 39-year-old Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs), this fight will be his first public appearance since July last year, when he knocked out Daniel Dubois in their high-profile rematch.
His 37-year-old opponent, Verhoeven, is a true legend of another sport—kickboxing—where he held the Glory championship title for over 11 years and set a record for the number of title defenses (14). In professional boxing, however, the Dutchman has minimal experience, with only one bout more than 12 years ago, which he won by knockout against little-known Hungarian fighter János Finfera (1-0, 1 KO).
Given the difference in boxing experience, bookmakers have little doubt about a Ukrainian victory:
- Usyk win – 1.05
- Draw – 34.00
- Verhoeven win – 13.00
Who will fight on the undercard: full lineup
Beyond the main event of the evening, the Egyptian fight card features a series of high-profile international bouts.
Particular attention from Ukrainian fans will go to rising light-heavyweight contender Daniil Lapin. The 28-year-old boxer will take part in a title fight against France’s Benjamin Mendes Tani, defending the IBF Intercontinental, WBA Continental, and WBO International belts in the light-heavyweight division.
The main undercard event will be the vacant WBO world title fight in the super middleweight division. Undefeated British prospect Hamzah Sheeraz will face experienced German fighter Alem Begic.
Another highly anticipated clash will be for the WBA Regular welterweight world title. Jack Catterall (United Kingdom) will step into the ring against Olympic medalist Shakhram Giyasov (Uzbekistan).
In the heavyweight division, powerful Cuban Frank Sánchez will meet rising American prospect Richard Torrez Jr. in an IBF eliminator bout.
A major women’s title fight is also scheduled, with WBO and The Ring championship belts on the line. Japanese star Mizuki Hiruta will defend her titles against Egypt-born, Australia-based fighter Mai Soliman.
Full undercard lineup:
- Hamzah Sheeraz (UK, 22-0-1) vs Alem Begic (Germany, 29-0-1)
- Jack Catterall (UK, 32-2) vs Shakhram Giyasov (Uzbekistan, 18-0)
- Frank Sánchez (Cuba, 25-1) vs Richard Torrez Jr. (USA, 14-0)
- Mizuki Hiruta (Japan, 10-0) vs Mai Soliman (Australia, 10-1)
- Daniil Lapin (Ukraine, 13-0) vs Benjamin Mendes Tani (France, 9-1)
- Bassem Mamdouh (Egypt, 10-2) vs Jamar Talley (USA, 6-0)
- Mahmoud Mobarak (Egypt, 0-0) vs Michael Kalyalya (Tanzania, 3-4-2)
- Omar Hikal (Egypt, 0-0) vs Ali Ssrununkuma (Uganda, 2-3-1)
Photo: fight poster
Date and time
The grand show is scheduled for May 23. The exact start time of the main event will be announced later, but according to preliminary media reports, the fighters are expected to enter the ring no earlier than 11:45 p.m. Kyiv time.
