DAZN: Usyk vs. Rico

USYK VS. RICO: “GLORY IN GIZA”
The Undisputed King Meets the Kickboxing Titan

THE EVENT AT A GLANCE

• Main Event: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
• Title: WBC World Heavyweight Championship
• Location: The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
• Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
• Streaming: Live Worldwide on DAZN PPV

THE MATCHUP
A monumental crossover clash between the undisputed master of boxing and the most dominant kickboxing heavyweight in history. Marketed as “Glory in Giza,” this fight marks the first time a major heavyweight world title will be contested at the historic Egyptian landmark.

FIGHTER COMPARISON

• Oleksandr Usyk (Champion): 24-0 (15 KOs). The two-division undisputed champion makes the first defense of his WBC crown after stopping Daniel Dubois in their 2025 rematch.
• Rico Verhoeven (Challenger): 1-0 in boxing (KO). A legendary kickboxer who held the GLORY heavyweight title for over a decade, Verhoeven vacated his kickboxing belts to pursue this historic world title opportunity.

FIGHT SYNOPSIS
Oleksandr Usyk has chosen this unique challenge as a way to further his legacy after years of facing traditional mandatory challengers. Despite being the favorite due to his peerless boxing IQ, Usyk remains wary of the physical threat and size advantage posed by the Dutchman.

Rico Verhoeven enters the ring as an underdog with only one prior professional boxing bout. However, “The King of Kickboxing” aims to shock the world by using his 6-foot-5 frame and natural heavyweight power to neutralize Usyk’s movement and claim boxing gold.

MAIN CARD PREVIEW

• Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic (Vacant WBO Super Middleweight Title)
• Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov (WBA Regular Welterweight Title)
• Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Frank Sanchez (Heavyweight)
• Mizuki Hiruta (c) vs. Mai Soliman (WBO Women’s Super Flyweight Title)