Get ready for a historic showdown under the Egyptian stars! On Saturday, May 23, boxing fans will witness something truly special as undefeated heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk steps into the ring with kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven—at the iconic pyramids of Giza.
This isn't just any fight; it's a clash of combat sports royalty. Usyk, at 39 years old, is putting his WBC heavyweight title on the line against the Dutch powerhouse, who has dominated kickboxing for years. While Verhoeven has only one professional boxing match to his name, he's no stranger to the sweet science, having trained extensively under Tyson Fury's uncle, Peter Fury. Still, the Ukrainian champion enters as the heavy favorite, with many viewing this bout as an exciting detour before his next mandatory title defense.
But don't count Verhoeven out just yet. At 37, he's widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers in combat sports history, and he'll be looking to prove that his skills translate perfectly to the boxing ring. The fight will be contested under pure boxing rules, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this cross-discipline battle.
Here's everything you need to know to catch the action. The main card kicks off at 6pm BST (10am PT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET), with the main event ring walks expected around 10pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET). You can stream the entire event live exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view for £24.99 / $59.99—no subscription required to purchase this blockbuster card.
The undercard is stacked with talent too. British star Hamzah Sheeraz faces Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super-middleweight title, while women's boxing fans will be treated to Mizuki Hiruta defending her WBO super-flyweight crown against Mai Soliman.
Whether you're a die-hard boxing fan or just love seeing elite athletes from different disciplines test their mettle, this is one event you won't want to miss. Mark your calendars for May 23—it's going to be a night to remember at the pyramids.
