Oleksandr Usyk to defend WBC title against kickboxing star in Egyptian pyramids

28 Feb 2026 • 4:14 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk's next fight has been confirmed, where he will defend his WBC title.
  • The highly anticipated bout is scheduled to take place at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on 23 May.
  • Usyk will face kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven, who will be making only his second professional boxing appearance.
  • Usyk, with an undefeated record of 24-0 (15 KOs), is a two-time undisputed heavyweight king, also holding the WBA and IBF belts.
  • Verhoeven, a former long-reigning kickboxing heavyweight champion, aims to hand Usyk his first professional loss.

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