This weekend, Oleksandr Usyk faces a unique challenge as he takes on kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven at the pyramids of Giza. The bout will be contested under pure boxing rules, with Usyk defending the WBC heavyweight title against the Dutchman, who has only one professional boxing match but has trained under Tyson Fury's uncle Peter. The unbeaten Usyk, 39, is a heavy favourite, with the fight seen as a side quest before his next expected WBC mandatory title defence.
When is the fight?
Usyk vs Verhoeven takes place on Saturday 23 May at the pyramids of Giza, Egypt. The main card starts at 6pm BST (10am PT, 12pm CT, 1pm ET), with ring walks for the main event around 10.45pm BST (2.45pm PT, 4.45pm CT, 5.45pm ET).
How to watch
The event streams live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view worldwide. The fight card costs £24.99 or $59.99, and no DAZN subscription is required to purchase. However, DAZN offers many upcoming fights, with subscriptions starting at £15.99 per month.
Odds
- Usyk: 1/25
- Verhoeven: 9/1
- Draw: 25/1
Odds via Betway. Always gamble responsibly.
Fight card (subject to change)
- Oleksandr Usyk (C) vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC heavyweight title
- Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic – vacant WBO super-middleweight title
- Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov – vacant WBA Regular welterweight title
- Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr – heavyweight
- Mizuki Hiruta (C) vs Mai Soliman – women's WBO super-flyweight title
- Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani – light-heavyweight
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