Oleksandr Usyk to Defend WBC Title vs. Rico Verhoeven

In what will be historic bout from Giza. Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will take on former kickboxing heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23rd in Egypt for the WBC heavyweight title, live on DAZN.

Usyk the former undisputed champion has wins over Tyson Fury, scored a fifth-round knockout over Daniel Dubois in his last fight. Verhoeven defended his heavyweight title in June last year, defeating former two-time light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov by unanimous decision

“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion," Usyk said. "Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings. "

I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”

Verhoeven said: “I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it,"

"I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”