Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: Prediction and fight card for May 23 clash
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Big Fight Weekend brings you our prediction, the full fight card, and streaming information ahead of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza. The entire card will be promoted by The Ring, with Eddie Hearn at the forefront, live on DAZN Pay-Per-View. The unified heavyweight champion and two-division undisputed king will be defending his WBC crown.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven fight details
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Venue: Pyramids of Giza.
Start time: 18:00 GMT / 13:00 ET.
Undercard fight to watch: Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr.
Current main event odds: Usyk 1/25, Verhoeven 13/1, Draw 50/1.
Oleksandr Usyk recent form
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) was last seen in action, dominating and stopping Daniel Dubois to become undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time. Prior to that, Usyk recorded two impressive wins against Tyson Fury.
Rico Verhoeven recent form
Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) has not competed in professional boxing since 2014, when he stopped Janos Finfera in the second round. In the kick-boxing world, Verhoeven last competed on June 14, 2025, winning a decision against Artem Vakhitov at Glory 100.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven prediction
There is no doubting Verhoeven’s achievements in kickboxing, but he is taking on arguably the greatest heavyweight boxer this generation has ever seen. He will look to utilise his reach advantage and work off his jab, keeping Usyk at bay. Verhoeven should bring his high guard over to boxing and won’t leave himself open.
Usyk is the master mover. His slick footwork enables him to create angles and avoid attacks. Usyk’s footwork is excellent, keeping his opponent guessing and wearing them out as the fight progresses. The Ukrainian is a brilliant combination puncher, and this, with his elite footwork, will wear Verhoeven down and lead to a stoppage win for Usyk in the second half of the fight.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven full fight card
- Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for lineal/WBC heavyweight title
- Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO super middleweight title
- Shakhram Giyasov vs Jack Catterall, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
- Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr., 12 rounds, IBF heavyweight eliminator
- Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s super flyweight title
- Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
- Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
- Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax, 4 rounds, lightweights
- Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya vs Michael Kalyala, 4 rounds, middleweights
- Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma, 4 rounds, welterweights
Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.