The heavyweight champion returns soon in an iconic part of the world but no one knows his opponent.
Not in boxing and not casual sports fans either.
This is not what the sport needs, the heavyweight champion taking on such easy opponents.
A former kickboxer is his next opponent Rico, basically.
The event is good being at the Pyramids but in a time where big fights against the best fighting the best are being made, the Usyk choice bucks that trend and raised eyebrows due to:
- It’s a massive mismatch — Usyk is a top-level boxer, Rico has almost no pro boxing experience.
- Verhoeven is a kickboxing legend, not a boxer. The rules change completely hurts any real competition.
- Fans wanted a real heavyweight fight against top contenders like Kabayel, Wardley, or Dubois.
- It avoids mandatory challengers and tougher opponents.
- Devalues the WBC heavyweight title by turning it into a novelty fight. The WBC were already in oblivion anyway — this finishes them off properly next month.
- Feels like an easy payday and retirement tour instead of fighting for legacy.
- Low excitement — most expect a one-sided, technical boxing lesson, not a thriller.
- Delays bigger fights like a Fury trilogy or unification.
- Cross-sport fights rarely deliver the drama boxing fans crave.
- At 36, Rico adapting to pure boxing in just his second pro bout is unrealistic.
- Hurts the sport’s credibility — looks more like a spectacle than serious boxing.
- The Pyramids location and “Glory in Giza” headline sound great, but the matchup itself disappoints hardcore fans who want elite vs elite.
Overall, the event will sell because it is a heavyweight title fight.
But a very easy win for Usyk surely.
Usyk would have been better off facing someone dangerous like Moses Itauma on May 23rd next month.
