Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his WBA title against Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, with terms and conditions in place.
Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has been granted permission to defend his WBA heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven. The bout will take place at the iconic Pyramids of Giza on May 23rd, but there are specific terms and conditions attached to this fight. Unified champion Usyk, who is 39 years old, will face kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven in an unconventional match-up.
Previously, the WBC had announced that Usyk could defend his title, but no such go-ahead was given by the WBA or International Boxing Federation (IBF). "Should Usyk emerge victorious, the bout will officially count as a successful title defense," stated the WBA. However, Verhoeven, who is not currently ranked by the sanctioning body, will not be at stake if he loses.
In case Usyk were to lose, the WBA championship committee would review his status and determine the next course of action regarding the heavyweight championship. Despite this, Usyk has expressed his intention to fight Verhoeven, stating that "he should be able to do what he wants" given his previous victories over notable opponents like Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois.
Usyk boasts an undefeated record with 24 professional fights and is a three-time undisputed champion. He has also won an Olympic gold medal for Ukraine at the 2012 Games in London. Verhoeven, on the other hand, is a kickboxing legend with a career record of 66 wins and 10 losses, including 21 knockouts.
This matchup presents Usyk with a vastly different challenge as he steps into a boxing ring for the first time since 2014, while Verhoeven returns to combat after a long hiatus. The unconventional nature of this fight underscores its significance in both sports and entertainment arenas.
