Oleksandr Usyk Fights Rico Verhoeven in Egypt

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, 2026.

The fight takes place at the Pyramids in Egypt, a unique location for a championship boxing event.

The main card begins at 1 p.m. ET, with the undercard starting earlier, around 10 to 11 a.m. ET.

The ring walks are expected to take place at approximately 5:48 p.m. ET.

Oleksandr Usyk enters the fight with a record of 24-0 and 15 knockouts, having last fought Daniel Dubois in July 2025.

Rico Verhoeven, the longtime GLORY kickboxing king, has a professional boxing record of 1-0, sparking debate about the competitiveness of the main event.

The event will be streamed worldwide on DAZN, with the U.S. pay-per-view priced at $59.99.

The undercard features solid fights, including Hamzah Sheeraz, Jack Catterall, and Richard Torrez Jr.

Oleksandr Usyk's first title defense since reclaiming undisputed status will be a voluntary defense of his WBC belt.

The fight's unique location and timing make it a notable event in the boxing world.

On May 23, 2026, fans can watch the fight over a late lunch on the U.S. East Coast, or in prime time in the U.K. and Egypt.

The Pyramids backdrop guarantees a visually stunning event, even if the result feels predetermined.