It's officially confirmed and electrifying the entire combat sports world: Rico Verhoeven , the undisputed King of Kickboxing and 12-year GLORY Heavyweight Champion, will face Oleksandr Usyk , the world's best pound-for-pound boxer and three-time Undisputed Champion. On May 23, 2026, "Glory in Giza" will take place – a historic WBC title fight at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, blurring the lines between boxing and kickboxing and destined to go down in history as the biggest crossover event since Mayweather vs. McGregor.

⚔️ Undisputed vs. Undisputed – Two Legends, One Ring

When two undisputed champions clash, sports history is made. This event is more than just a fight – it's a global phenomenon that divides and fascinates boxing purists and kickboxing fans alike.

📍 Fight Details: Date, Location & Broadcast

GLORY CHAMPION VS WBC CHAMPION

🥊 The backstory: How this mega-fight came about

The road to "Glory in Giza" was anything but straightforward. Originally, Rico Verhoeven was scheduled to face Anthony Joshua in February 2026 – a fight that would have sent shockwaves through the boxing world. But fate had other plans: In December 2025, Joshua was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria, in which two of his team members tragically lost their lives. Joshua himself was a passenger and survived, but his boxing future was suddenly in jeopardy.

Promoter Turki Alalshikh , the most powerful man in modern boxing and chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, then searched for a new opponent for Verhoeven. His choice fell on Oleksandr Usyk – the current pound-for-pound king and WBC champion. Alalshikh, known for making seemingly impossible fights happen, posted his enthusiasm for the matchup on X (formerly Twitter) and pulled out all the stops.

⚖️ The rulebook: Under what conditions is the fight conducted?

The million-dollar question: Under what rules will the King of Kickboxing face off against the boxing virtuoso? Rico Verhoeven initially proposed a hybrid format – alternating rounds of pure boxing and kickboxing. This proposal sparked massive debate within the combat sports community.

But Turki Alalshikh and the WBC made it unequivocally clear: This is a WBC title fight , and therefore the classic boxing rules apply. For Rico, that means:

• ❌ No kicks or knee strikes: Verhoeven's strongest weapons – low kicks, high kicks and devastating knee attacks – are completely forbidden.
• ❌ No clinch fighting: Unlike kickboxing, there are no long clinch phases with knees.
• ✅ 12 rounds of 3 minutes each: Standard format for heavyweight world championships
• ✅ 10-ounce gloves: As is standard practice in all heavyweight title fights
• ✅ WBC Unified Rules: Official rulebook with three judges and one referee

🔥 A detailed comparison of the fighting styles

🇳🇱 Rico Verhoeven – The Dutch Titan

Rico Verhoeven is the product of iron discipline. At the age of five, he began Kyokushin karate under the strict guidance of his father, Jos (a black belt in karate). While other children played soccer after school, Rico spent his afternoons at the dojo. At seven, he switched to kickboxing, and by sixteen, he was already so tall and strong that he had to compete against adults – no one his own age could challenge him.

Physical attributes:

• Height: 196 cm – towers over Usyk by 5 cm
• Fighting weight: ~120 kg – almost 18-20 kg heavier than Usyk
• Reach: Above average for a heavyweight
• Condition: Legendary – has survived 11 title defenses in 12 years

Fighting style & strengths:

• Technical precision: Unlike many power kickboxers, Rico is extremely technical. He even trained with Tyson Fury, who helped him perfect his jab – a weapon that will be essential in pure boxing.
• Cardio monster: Rico is known for maintaining a consistent pace over five rounds. In a twelve-round boxing match, this could be a decisive advantage.
• Ring IQ: 70 professional fights (kickboxing + boxing) have given him an incredible understanding of timing and distance.
• Mental toughness: Has defeated opponents such as Badr Hari (twice), Jamal Ben Saddik (twice, most recently with a serious facial injury) and numerous other top contenders.

The big question: Can Rico control the distance without his kicks? In kickboxing, he uses low kicks to slow down opponents and restrict their movement. In boxing, he has to find other ways to neutralize Usyk's notorious footwork.

🇺🇦 Oleksandr Usyk – The technical virtuoso

Usyk's path to boxing began late and for pragmatic reasons. Until the age of 14, he played football for Tavrija Simferopol in Crimea. But his family could no longer afford the equipment and club fees. At 15, he stepped into a boxing ring for the first time – without any ambitions of a professional career. Today, 24 years later, he is the best heavyweight boxer in the world .

Amateur achievements (before professional career):

• 🥇 Olympic Champion 2012 (London, Heavyweight)
• 🥇 World Champions 2011 (Azerbaijan)
• 🥇 European Champion 2008 (Light Heavyweight)
• 📊 350 amateur fights – 335 wins (95% win rate!)

Professional dominance:

• Cruiserweight: First undisputed champion of all four organizations (WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF) in the history of the cruiserweight division.
• Muhammad Ali Trophy: Winner of the 2018 World Boxing Super Series
• Heavyweight: Three-time Undisputed Champion – a record that is unparalleled
• Legendary victories: 2x Anthony Joshua, 2x Tyson Fury, 2x Daniel Dubois

Fighting style & strengths:

• Footwork: The best in the heavyweight division – Usyk moves like a middleweight. He glides across the canvas, changes angles, and makes him impossible to hit.
• Southpaw Advantage: As a southpaw, he has a natural advantage against orthodox fighters. While Rico is also technically skilled, the Southpaw style will present him with new challenges.
• Ring IQ out of this world: Usyk reads opponents like a chess grandmaster. He anticipates moves 2-3 steps ahead.
• Adaptability: Can box orthodox or southpaw, can march forward or dominate in reverse.
• Cardio: Usyk's training methods are legendary – 10 km open water swimming, beach sprints, CrossFit with hammers on tractor tires. His lung capacity is superhuman.

📊 Tactical Analysis: How does every fighter win?

🎯 Rico's winning strategy

For Rico Verhoeven, there are several paths to victory, but all require maximum discipline and tactical perfection:

1. Size and reach dominate: Rico must use his 5cm height advantage and keep Usyk at bay with a consistent jab. Tyson Fury showed him how to weaponize that jab – now he has to maintain it for 12 rounds.
2. Use your weight: With almost 20 kg more on his ribs, Rico can physically dominate in the clinch. Every clinch must be used to tire Usyk out and put strain on his legs.
3. Power punching: Rico's best chance is a knockout. He has 21 knockout wins in kickboxing – the punching power is definitely there. A perfectly timed right hook or uppercut could end Usyk's night early.
4. Capitalize on the late rounds: When it comes to rounds 9-12, Rico's superior weight and stamina could make the difference. Usyk is a cardio monster, but so is Rico – and he's 20 kg heavier.

🎯 Usyk's winning strategy

For Oleksandr Usyk, this fight is practically "business as usual" – he is the technically superior boxer and fights in his discipline:

1. Footwork & angles: Usyk must move constantly, never let him settle into a straight line. Change angles, confuse Rico, throw him off balance.
2. Body work: Attacks on Rico's body will be essential. At 120 kg, Rico presents a large target area. Body shots will slow down opponents and weaken them.
3. Pace control: Usyk dictates the pace. In rounds where Rico is advancing, Usyk must come out and overwhelm Rico with combinations. In rounds where he is ahead, he can box conservatively.
4. Mental game: Usyk is a master of psychology. During a fight, he sometimes dances, smiles, or makes jokes. This frustrates his opponents. Against Rico, this could be invaluable.

💰 The weight question: David vs. Goliath 2.0?

One of the most fascinating aspects of this fight is the potential weight imbalance of 18-20 kilograms . That's not just a number – that's an entire weight class difference!

Historical perspective: Usyk has already proven that he can beat bigger and heavier opponents. Tyson Fury weighed 127 kg in their second fight – 25 kg more than Usyk! And yet Usyk won by unanimous decision. Anthony Joshua weighed around 110-115 kg in both fights – Usyk won both times.

The question, therefore, is not whether Usyk can handle the weight difference, but whether Rico can close the technical gap with brute force.

🌍 Why this fight is dividing the combat sports community

The reactions to the announcement were explosive – and divided. Social media exploded with opinions, analyses, and heated debates.

The facts are:

• For Usyk, a defeat against a kickboxer (even under boxing rules) is a permanent blemish on his otherwise flawless record.
• For Rico, this is the chance of a lifetime to establish himself as a true crossover champion and prove that he is more than "just" a kickboxer.
• Both athletes are taking an enormous financial and legacy risk.
• The fight will reignite the debate about "Which combat sport is superior?"

📅 What happens after "Glory in Giza"

This fight is not the end of the story – it is the beginning of a new chapter:

For Usyk: The WBC has already made it clear that after this voluntary title fight, Usyk is obligated to face Agit Kabayel (WBC Interim Champion). Should he refuse, he risks losing his WBC title. Alternatively, a trilogy fight against Tyson Fury could be on the cards – the biggest payday of his career.

For Rico: A victory would open all doors. A rematch with Usyk would be guaranteed (this time perhaps even with hybrid rules?). Fights against Joshua, Fury, or even an MMA crossover against Francis Ngannou would suddenly become realistic.

🎥 Where can I watch the fight live?

🗣️ The voices of the fighters

🏆 Conclusion: An event for the history books

On May 23, 2026, the combat sports world will stand still. Rico Verhoeven vs. Oleksandr Usyk is far more than just a fight – it is a cultural phenomenon, a statement about courage, legacy, and the relentless will to face the greatest challenges.

Whether you're Team Rico or Team Usyk, one thing is certain: you will witness a historic moment. The Pyramids of Giza, which have stood as a symbol of human greatness for millennia, will provide the perfect stage for this epic duel.

Get ready – history is being written! 🥊🔥