Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt. Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), confirmed the details of the “Glory in Giza” event, which marks the first of three fights in the champion’s planned retirement run. The bout is promoted by Matchroom Boxing in partnership with Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine, bringing the Ukrainian superstar to an iconic global landmark for his latest title defense.
The champion, Oleksandr Usyk, enters the ring with a flawless 24-0 record and 15 KOs. His opponent, Rico Verhoeven, is a legendary kickboxer with a 49-8 record in that sport, though he holds only a 1-0 record in professional boxing. Despite the massive experience gap, the event serves as a high-profile start to Usyk’s final career chapter. He has publicly stated he intends to have only “two, maybe three” fights remaining before retiring from the sport.
Following this weekend’s clash, Oleksandr Usyk plans to face Daniel Dubois, who recently defeated Fabio Wardley to secure his position in this retirement sequence. The third and final bout of the plan could potentially be a trilogy match against Tyson Fury. However, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has already ordered Usyk to face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel after the Egypt defense, which may affect the order of these final high-stakes encounters.
Future plans for Istanbul and potential David Benavidez clash
During the final press conference in Egypt, Turki Alalshikh revealed that he is already looking toward 2027 for local and international boxing growth. “We are planning to do something amazing in Istanbul,” Alalshikh stated, noting that the Saudi government is working with Turkish officials for a major event next year. This has led to speculation regarding Agit Kabayel, a German fighter with Turkish heritage, who could provide a massive draw for a stadium fight in Istanbul.
The GEA chairman is also eyeing a crossover superfight between Usyk and David Benavidez for 2027. Benavidez recently moved up to cruiserweight to stop Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, claiming world titles in a third weight class. While Benavidez has expressed interest in returning to 175 pounds to fight Canelo Alvarez or Dmitry Bivol, Alalshikh is reportedly keen on bringing him to the heavyweight division for a championship clash with Usyk.
Matchroom Boxing has confirmed a heavy undercard for the Giza event, including a vacant WBO super middleweight title fight between Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic. Additionally, heavyweight prospects Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr are set to square off in a 10-round contest. As the division evolves, Daniel Dubois prepares for his future involvement in the heavyweight title picture following his victory over Fabio Wardley.
Glory in Giza broadcast times and betting odds
The “Glory in Giza” main card begins at 8:00 PM EEST on Saturday, May 23. For viewers in the United Kingdom, the broadcast starts at 6:00 PM BST, with main event ringwalks expected at approximately 10:45 PM BST. In the United States, the event begins at 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT). Fans can watch the event via DAZN Pay-Per-View, priced at £24.99 in the UK and $59.99 in the US, or through the DAZN Ultimate Tier.
Oddsmakers have placed Usyk as a heavy favorite at -2500, while Verhoeven sits as a longshot at +11000. For those looking at specific outcomes, a KO/TKO victory for Usyk is listed at -600. The under/over for the fight length is situated at 5.5 rounds. This event signals a strategy by the GEA to utilize historic international locations for major sports entertainment outside of traditional hubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What titles are being contested in the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight?
Oleksandr Usyk is defending his WBC heavyweight title in the “Glory in Giza” bout. The IBF and WBA Super titles are not being contested in this specific match against Rico Verhoeven.
When and where is the Glory in Giza event taking place?
The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt. The main card is set to begin at 8:00 PM EEST, which is 6:00 PM BST in the UK and 1:00 PM ET in the United States.
How many fights does Oleksandr Usyk have left in his career?
Oleksandr Usyk has stated that he has “two, maybe three” fights left before he retires. His current plan includes Rico Verhoeven, followed by Daniel Dubois, and potentially a final heavyweight trilogy fight against Tyson Fury.
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