Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight world title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in front of the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, organisers have confirmed. The WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman granted special permission for Usyk to make a voluntary defence before fulfilling his mandatory obligation against interim champion Agit Kabayel.
The fight will be staged on a temporary, freestanding ring platform constructed entirely above ground, following the blueprint of a Tiesto concert held at the site last December. No digging, drilling or permanent fixings will be used to protect the buried archaeology beneath the desert surface. The entire structure will be dismantled within hours of the final bell.
Engineers have developed a 'heritage-safe' sound system that directs bass frequencies away from the pyramids, with real-time vibration sensors monitoring the limestone structures to ensure sound levels stay within strict archaeological limits. Security measures will include mandatory bag checks, controlled access points and a strict no re-entry policy.
For Usyk, the event represents an unconventional chapter in a career defined by taking on challenges in hostile environments. Verhoeven will make his first professional boxing appearance in a decade after years of dominance in kickboxing. The bout is expected to feature a ringside enclosure, elevated hospitality decks and dramatic broadcast lighting for a global pay-per-view audience.
