Oleksandr Usyk will face kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in a crossover boxing match on May 23 in Egypt, marking a rare competitive appearance for the unified heavyweight champion outside of traditional boxing.
The fight will be broadcast in the United Kingdom with full coverage details confirmed through ESPN, including ring walk times and the complete undercard lineup. The event places Usyk’s boxing credentials against Verhoeven’s kickboxing background in a traditional boxing format.
Verhoeven is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished kickboxers in the history of heavyweight competition, making the matchup an unusual but intriguing crossover for fans. Usyk enters as the unified heavyweight champion and is expected to have a significant technical advantage under boxing rules.
The May 23 card will feature additional undercard bouts leading up to the main event. Here is the full card:
- Title fight: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight title
- Title fight: Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for the vacant WBO super middleweight title
- Title fight: Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov, 12 rounds, for the vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
- Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr., 10 rounds, heavyweights
- Title fight: Mizuki Hiruta vs. Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s junior bantamweight title
- Basem Mamdouh vs. Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights