Wow. This is unexpected next up for Usyk.
Oleksandr Usyk is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and will of course compete in professional boxing next up.
He takes on 36-year-old Rico Verhoeven next up who is a kickboxer with a professional boxing record of only 1-0.
It is a proper professional boxing match but is also seen as a showpiece event in Egypt.
Professional boxing, big time boxing that is, is now in Africa.
Unprecedented and further proof of the sport’s massive worldwide resurgange.
Here is the details on the Usyk next fight:
Key Confirmed Details
- Date: May 23, 2026 (Saturday)
- Location: Pyramids of Giza, Giza, Egypt (outdoor venue near one of the Seven Wonders of the World)
- Opponent: Rico Verhoeven (Netherlands, 36 years old)
- Longtime dominant heavyweight kickboxer (former Glory Kickboxing undisputed champion with a lengthy reign and multiple defenses)
- Limited boxing record: 1-0 (1 KO) from a 2014 fight
- Title at Stake: WBC heavyweight championship (Usyk defending it; this is a voluntary defense, with WBC approval before any mandatory challengers)
- Broadcast: Live worldwide on DAZN pay-per-view
- Announcement Date: February 27, 2026 (announced by The Ring magazine, with confirmation from promoter Turki Alalshikh and the fighters)
Fighter Backgrounds
- Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine): 24-0 record (15 KOs). Three-time undisputed heavyweight champion. Last fought in July 2025 (5th-round KO win over Daniel Dubois). Has victories over Tyson Fury (twice), Anthony Joshua (twice), and Dubois (twice) in recent years.
- Rico Verhoeven: Crossing over from kickboxing for this bout. Regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers ever.
Additional Notes
- This is an official world title fight, not an exhibition.
- No undercard details announced yet.
- Tickets, exact timings (e.g., start time, weigh-in), and other logistics are not yet public as of February 28, 2026.
Here’s some of the reaction from boxing fans:
Usyk remains the pound for pound King of boxing and can clearly do what he wants.
As evidenced by this move.
Surely he will look for a big fight after that though.
The fight will be big in the sense it is in Africa and involves Usyk.
Huge big news for the entire sport with this.
