In a move that has electrified the boxing world, the WBA has officially sanctioned Oleksandr Usyk to defend his 'Super' heavyweight title against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23. But don't expect a straightforward showdown—this bout comes with a unique set of strings attached.

The stage is set at the iconic pyramids of Giza in Egypt, where the 39-year-old unified champion Usyk will face the 37-year-old former Glory kickboxing world champion. Usyk, undefeated in 24 professional fights and a three-time undisputed champion (twice at heavyweight, once at cruiserweight), has already cemented his legacy by beating Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois. Now, he's stepping into the ring with Verhoeven, a fighter with a fearsome reputation in kickboxing but only one professional boxing match to his name, way back in 2014.

The WBA's ruling adds an intriguing twist: if Usyk wins, it counts as a successful title defense. However, the belt itself won't be on the line for Verhoeven since he's not currently ranked by the sanctioning body. Should the unthinkable happen and Verhoeven pulls off the upset, the WBA's championship committee will review Usyk's status and decide the next steps for the heavyweight title. The WBC had already confirmed Usyk's title would be at stake, but the IBF has yet to weigh in on whether its belt will also be on the line.

Usyk, who won Olympic gold for Ukraine in 2012, has been unapologetic about his choice of opponent, telling critics he should be able to "do what I want" after conquering the sport's biggest names. Meanwhile, Verhoeven has a golden opportunity: a win over Usyk would not only make him a household name in boxing but also earn him a spot in the WBA's heavyweight rankings.

As the boxing community debates the legitimacy of this cross-sport clash, one thing is certain—this fight at the pyramids promises to be as dramatic as the ancient setting itself. Stay tuned.