Welcome to our live coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven! Oleksandr Usyk is set for a unique challenge this evening, as he takes on kickboxing icon Verhoeven – at the pyramids of Giza, no less. The fight will take place under pure boxing rules, as Usyk defends the WBC heavyweight title against the Dutchman, who has boxed just once professionally (but who has long trained under Tyson Fury’s uncle Peter). The unbeaten Usyk, 39, is naturally a heavy favourite here, with the bout seen as somewhat of a side quest before the Ukrainian’s next fight, which is expected to be a WBC mandatory title defence. Still, the unified champion cannot afford to be complacent against Verhoeven, 37, who is one of the greatest strikers that combat sports has ever seen.
Stay tuned for start times, undercard details, fight updates, and results throughout the evening.
