Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and President of the Saudi Boxing Federation, has unveiled a landmark heavyweight showdown between unified champion Oleksandr Usyk and former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Named “Glory in Giza,” the fight will take place on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the first time a heavyweight title fight has ever been held in the country.
Usyk’s last fight ended in a fifth-round knockout win over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July.
This landmark victory has made him the second man to be a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, after Muhammad Ali.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts,” Usyk said.
Verhoeven is widely known as one of kickboxing’s greats, having remained unbeaten in the sport for more than a decade.
“I spent twelve years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away from the hunger, it strengthened it,” Verhoeven said.
The showdown will be streamed exclusively on DAZN.
Further details on the undercard and ticket availability set to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
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