Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk defended his WBC title against Dutch kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in a historic crossover bout at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The 12-round main event, streamed on DAZN pay-per-view, drew global attention as the undefeated pound-for-pound king faced the “King of Kickboxing” in a high-stakes clash between boxing and combat sports. The fight, which began with prelims at 11 a.m. ET and the main card at 2 p.m. ET, saw Usyk dominate Verhoeven, who entered with a 1-0 professional boxing record.
Betting Odds and Expert Predictions
Usyk entered as a massive favorite, with -2300 odds (risk $2,300 to win $100) on FanDuel, while Verhoeven was priced at +1480 (risk $100 to win $1,480). SportsLine expert Josh Nagel, a seasoned combat sports analyst, highlighted Usyk’s technical precision and ring IQ as key advantages. “Usyk’s ability to control distance and timing will neutralize Verhoeven’s aggressive style,” Nagel said, noting that his 2025 campaign had already yielded over $2,500 in profitable picks. Verhoeven’s unranked status meant only the WBC title was at stake, as the WBA and IBF declined to sanction the fight.
How to Watch the PPV Event
The event was available for $59.99 on DAZN, with a 7-day free trial offering access to the main card. Subscribers could also opt for DAZN’s “Ultimate Tier” plan at $49.99/month, which included the PPV and 11 other events annually. Coverage began at 1 p.m. ET, with the main event ring walks scheduled for 5:48 p.m. ET. Preliminary bouts, including a WBO super middleweight title fight and a WBA welterweight title match, aired earlier on Uncrowned.
Fight Card and Key Matchups
The undercard featured multiple title bouts, including the WBO super middleweight championship between Hamzah Sheeraz and Alem Begic, and the WBA welterweight title clash between Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov. In the main event, Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) faced Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO), whose only professional boxing match prior to 2026 was a 2014 second-round knockout. Verhoeven, a retired GLORY Kickboxing champion with 66-10 record in kickboxing, had not fought in the ring since 2014.
Historical Context and Stakes
Usyk, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, has dominated both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, unifying titles in 2025 after a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois. Verhoeven, 37, brought a different challenge: his high-pressure, relentless striking style contrasted with Usyk’s technical boxing. The fight’s significance extended beyond the ring, symbolizing the growing crossover between combat sports. “This is a moment for both disciplines to showcase their athletes,” said a DAZN spokesperson, though the event’s financial success hinged on its ability to attract casual viewers.
Live Results and Fan Reactions
Early reports from the Pyramids of Giza indicated Usyk’s control of the fight, with fans noting his effective use of jabs and footwork. Preliminary bouts, including a second-round KO by Frank Sanchez, set the tone for a high-octane evening. While detailed round-by-round updates were sparse in the immediate aftermath, the fight’s outcome was widely anticipated to solidify Usyk’s legacy as a two-division champion. Verhoeven’s performance, however, raised questions about his adaptability to boxing’s rules, particularly the absence of kicks and knees.
