Three-time undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk is set to make a historic return to the ring, defending his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing sensation Rico Verhoeven on May 23. This highly anticipated bout will take place at the ancient Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, headlining an event aptly named "Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons." Combat sports fans can stream the unique clash live and exclusively on DAZN.

Usyk, 39, brings an unblemished professional boxing record of 24-0, including 15 knockouts, into this cross-discipline challenge. His last outing saw him secure a dominant fifth-round knockout over Daniel Dubois in July. The Ukrainian phenom has consistently proven his dominance in the heavyweight division, having defeated top contenders like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and Daniel Dubois each twice since 2021. With limited conventional options for his next fight, Usyk opted for a different direction after teasing a significant announcement earlier in the week on his social media platforms.

His opponent, Rico Verhoeven, 36, is widely recognized as one of the greatest kickboxers of all time, boasting an impressive professional record of 66-10. The Dutch fighter held the prestigious GLORY heavyweight title for an incredible 4,220 days, successfully defending his championship an unprecedented 13 times between 2013 and 2025. While primarily a kickboxer, Verhoeven is not entirely new to other combat sports; he recorded a boxing knockout victory against Janos Finfera in 2014 and a TKO win in an MMA fight against Viktor Bogutzki in 2015, showcasing his versatile athletic prowess.

Commenting on the upcoming fight, Usyk expressed deep respect for his challenger. "I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport," Usyk stated. "Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion." While acknowledging Verhoeven's status as "the King of Kickboxing" and respecting his journey of hard work, discipline, and belief, Usyk made it clear: "But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings." He conveyed his readiness and excitement for what promises to be a unique experience for both competitors and the global audience.

Verhoeven, on his part, articulated his motivation for seeking this unparalleled challenge. After achieving everything possible in kickboxing over twelve years as an undisputed champion, he explained, "I wasn't looking for comfort, so started looking for the highest challenge available in another world." He views the clash with Usyk as a true test of champions, declaring it "Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best," driven by an unwavering hunger for the pinnacle of competition. The report was contributed to by combat sports reporter Andreas Hale from ESPN and multiple authors.