Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine is returning to the ring in May, but it's not exactly what you might have expected.
Friday afternoon, it was announced by Turki Alashikh and the Ring that Usyk will be fighting a "kick boxing" legendary combatant in his first fight since July of 2025.
Their statement proclaimed,
"Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will take on former kickboxing heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven on Saturday May 23rd in Egypt for the WBC heavyweight title, globally exclusive on DAZN.
‘Glory in Giza’ will see Usyk take on Verhoeven, who steps back into the boxing ring following a twelve year absence. Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion with two victories over Tyson Fury in Riyadh in 2024. He then became the unified heavyweight champion with a comprehensive fifth-round KO of Daniel Dubois.
Having fought in Ukraine, Germany, Poland, the USA, Latvia, Russia and the UK, the 39-year-old will compete in North Africa for the first time in his career. Dutch former kickboxer Verhoeven, 36, holds Glory records in most wins in title bouts (14), the most consecutive title defenses (13), the most wins (28), and the longest winning streak (27), while also tying in the record of the promotion’s most bouts (29). He has previously competed in MMA and professional boxing, winning his only fight in each sport by knockout.
Verhoeven defended his heavyweight title in June last year, defeating former two-time light heavyweight champion Artem Vakhitov by unanimous decision before announcing his departure from the sport in November after 76 fights and 66 wins.
He now returns to boxing for the first time since 2014 hoping to become the first man to defeat Usyk in his professional career."
Usyk had been toying with the possibility of fighting former WBC heavweight champ Deontay Wilder in the United States, but Wilder is instead going to fight fellow, aged contender Derek Chisora in England in April.
It's also interesting that Usyk's defense is being billed only as for "the WBC heavyweight title," when he also possesses, for now, the WBA and IBF championships.
He was stripped of the WBO world title for failing to defend against England's Fabio Wardley, who was elevated to full champion.
The champion had cryptically posted earlier this week on Instagram:
Back to the statement Friday,
Usyk said: “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. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings."
I’m ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us≠≠, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming!”
Verhoeven said: “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 the hunger, it strengthened it.
I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world. Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
The Ring indicated that they will announce undercard fights for May 23rd "in due course."