Trending Now - Usyk and Verhoeven Clash: Watch Live, Payouts, and More!

WHO:

MMA Fighting - Rico Verhoeven stated he was first in talks for a fight against Anthony Joshua before eventually inking a deal to take on Oleksandr Usyk.

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven's trainer, Peter Fury, suggested the idea of fighting Oleksandr Usyk.

MMA Fighting - Rico Verhoeven vacated his GLORY heavyweight title and left the kickboxing promotion in free agency.

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven has spent years training alongside UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

Sportskeeda - Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov will compete in a welterweight clash as part of the undercard for the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight.

MMA Fighting - Rico Verhoeven explained his decision to choose boxing over a UFC offer, stating, "The boxing opportunity looked more interesting so that’s the road we took."

Billboard - Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven are the fighters involved in the boxing event.

Sportskeeda - Matchroom Boxing is the organization promoting the fight.

WHAT:

Yahoo Sports - Oleksandr Usyk holds a perfect 24-0 record with 15 KOs and is the WBC, WBA, and IBF unified heavyweight titlist.

Yahoo Sports - Rico Verhoeven has a professional boxing record of 1-0 with 1 KO, having previously fought in 2014.

Yahoo Sports - The main card for the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight starts at 2 p.m. ET on DAZN pay-per-view, with main event ring walks expected around 6 p.m. ET.

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven described his transition to boxing as a search for new opportunities, stating, "We were looking at UFC, we were looking at a big crossover in boxing and both options were on the table."

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven expressed excitement about the challenge of facing Usyk, saying, "I love it. The bigger the challenge, the better."

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven described his transition from kickboxing to boxing as "one hell of a ride."

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven stated, "I think there’s a story there. Undisputed kickboxer against undisputed boxer."

Sportskeeda - The Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight is described as a "crossover boxing spectacle" and will be part of Matchroom Boxing's 'Glory in Giza' fight card.

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven described his excitement about facing Usyk, saying, "The bigger the challenge, the better."

Billboard - The event is a pay-per-view heavyweight title bout.

Sportskeeda - The fight is described as a crossover boxing spectacle.

WHERE:

Billboard - The event will be livestreamed from the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Billboard - The fight will take place at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Sportskeeda - The event is part of Matchroom Boxing's 'Glory in Giza' fight card.

WHEN:

Billboard - The boxing event is scheduled for Saturday, May 23.

Sportskeeda - The fight will headline the 'Glory in Giza' fight card this weekend (May 23).

WHY:

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven mentioned that he felt his GLORY contract was "coming to an end" and that kickboxing "was just played out."

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven mentioned that he enjoys being the underdog, stating, "I can cause for an upset. I can cause for a surprise."

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The prelims for the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight begin at 11 a.m. ET and can be watched on Uncrowned.

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven indicated he plans to bring a unique approach to the fight, stating, "I’m going to move and I’m going to do things and I’m going to attack in a certain way that boxers just simply don’t do."

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven indicated he plans to bring a unique approach to the fight, stating, "I’m going to bring something to the table that he hasn’t seen before."

Billboard - The event will be available as a pay-per-view boxing event online.

MMA Fighting - Verhoeven indicated he plans to bring a unique approach to the fight, saying, "I’m going to bring something to the table that he hasn’t seen before."

Billboard - The event will be livestreamed as a pay-per-view boxing event online.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 19:17 UTC)

Oleksandr Usyk, the WBC, WBA, and IBF unified heavyweight champion, boasts an impressive undefeated record of 24 wins, including 15 knockouts. In contrast, Rico Verhoeven, who has a professional boxing record of 1 win and 1 knockout, returns to the ring after his last fight in 2014. Fans can catch the prelims for the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight starting at 11 a.m. ET on Uncrowned, with the main card kicking off at 2 p.m. ET on DAZN pay-per-view, and the main event ring walks anticipated around 6 p.m. ET.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 15:17 UTC)

Rico Verhoeven revealed that he was initially in talks for a fight against Anthony Joshua before ultimately signing a deal to face Oleksandr Usyk, a suggestion made by his trainer, Peter Fury. Verhoeven described his shift to boxing as a quest for new opportunities, expressing his excitement for the challenge ahead, saying, "I love it. The bigger the challenge, the better." He also mentioned that he feels his GLORY contract is nearing its end and plans to bring a unique strategy to the ring, stating, "I’m going to move and I’m going to do things and I’m going to attack in a certain way that boxers just simply don’t do."

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 04:13 UTC)

Rico Verhoeven has vacated his GLORY heavyweight title and is now a free agent, marking a significant shift in his career. He described his transition from kickboxing to boxing as "one hell of a ride" and expressed excitement about the potential matchup between an undisputed kickboxer and an undisputed boxer. Verhoeven also mentioned that he felt his GLORY contract was "coming to an end" and plans to bring a unique approach to his future fights, promising to deliver something his opponents haven't seen before.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 01:32 UTC)

In an exciting matchup, Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov will face off in a welterweight clash as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight. This crossover boxing spectacle is set to take place on Saturday, May 23, and will be part of Matchroom Boxing's 'Glory in Giza' fight card, livestreamed from the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Fans can catch all the action through a pay-per-view online event.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Rico Verhoeven has decided to pursue boxing instead of accepting an offer from the UFC, explaining that the boxing opportunity looked more interesting to him. He expressed his excitement about facing Oleksandr Usyk, stating that the bigger the challenge, the better, and he relishes the role of the underdog, believing he can cause an upset. Verhoeven also mentioned that he plans to bring a unique approach to the fight, promising to deliver something Usyk hasn't seen before.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 21:29 UTC)

In an exciting matchup, Oleksandr Usyk will face Rico Verhoeven in a heavyweight title bout promoted by Matchroom Boxing. This crossover boxing spectacle is set to take place at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and will headline the 'Glory in Giza' fight card this weekend on Saturday, May 23. Fans can catch all the action by livestreaming the event as a pay-per-view online.