Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The professional boxing event, branded “Glory in Giza,” is set to take place in front of the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. This historic matchup marks the first professional boxing event ever held at the ancient landmark and the first time a world title fight will occur at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The 39-year-old Oleksandr Usyk, who brings an undefeated record of 24-0 (15 KOs) into the ring, views the location as a fitting backdrop for the twilight of his career. Speaking to Ring Magazine, he noted that he likely has “one year, maybe, one-and-a-half” left before he retires to pursue coaching or business interests. “This is piece of work,” Usyk said regarding the pyramids. “I’m very happy to look at pyramid because wow, it’s a big story.”
Organized as part of Riyadh Season, the event is a massive collaborative effort. The group of promoters and organizers includes His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Ring Magazine, the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), and Sela. Other key partners involved in the production are Tazkarti, the Saudi Boxing Federation, and United Sports Company. They aim to capitalize on the historical significance of the plateau, which Egyptologist Hussein Abdel-Basir noted has roots in ancient Egyptian sports like wrestling.
Global broadcast times for the Glory in Giza event
For fans watching internationally, the “Glory in Giza” primary broadcast begins at 6:00 PM BST / 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT / 8:00 PM EEST. DAZN will stream the event globally and exclusively on its Pay-Per-View platform. While the full Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven schedule covers several hours of action, the heavyweights are expected to make their main event ringwalks at approximately 10:48 PM BST / 5:48 PM ET / 2:48 PM PT / 12:48 AM EEST (May 24).
Challenger Rico Verhoeven enters the bout as a legendary figure in kickboxing, having spent 12 years as an undisputed champion in that discipline. However, his professional boxing experience is virtually non-existent compared to the champion. Verhoeven’s lone professional boxing match took place over a decade ago in April 2014, when he secured a second-round knockout of Janos Finfera. Despite the odds, the 36-year-old remains motivated by the “undisputed versus undisputed” narrative of the clash.
The champion himself was once a critic of crossover fights. Usyk admitted that when Floyd Mayweather fought Conor McGregor, he initially thought the concept was “bullsh-t.” He has since warmed to the idea of combining fan bases from boxing, MMA, and kickboxing. This open-mindedness comes as the heavyweight division enters a frantic period of activity, including the confirmed Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua 2026 clash and rumors of other veterans like Andy Ruiz Jr. targeting a comeback.
Sanctioning and defensive pressure in North Africa
Despite the “circus fight” label typically attached to crossover events, the unified titles remain on the line. Usyk is putting his WBC, WBA, and IBF belts at stake in his first-ever competition in North Africa. He insists he feels no particular pressure regarding the hardware. “I like belts, I like all my belts — thank you, organization — but for me, my road is the fights,” he explained during pre-fight media events.
The event was formally launched on Tuesday, May 19, at the Sphinx, signaling Egypt’s intent to use high-profile sports for tourism promotion. Egyptologist Hussein Abdel-Basir emphasized that the ancient site’s connection to physical competition makes it a natural, if surreal, choice for a heavyweight championship. The production is intended to rival major stadium shows in London or Riyadh, with the ancient structures serving as the primary visual hook for the global audience.
Rico Verhoeven has tailored his preparation specifically for the transition to boxing’s 12-round format and unique ruleset. He acknowledged that while he accomplished everything possible in kickboxing, the hunger to face a technician like Usyk pushed him to take this risk. Whether the “King of Kickboxing” can land a meaningful strike on one of the most elusive boxers in history remains the central question for Saturday night.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the main event ringwalks start for Usyk vs Verhoeven?
The main event ringwalks are scheduled for approximately 10:48 PM BST. For international viewers, this corresponds to 5:48 PM ET, 2:48 PM PT, and 12:48 AM EEST (on May 24) in Egypt.
Which world titles are being defended at the Pyramids?
Oleksandr Usyk is defending his unified heavyweight titles in this professional boxing match. This includes the WBC, WBA, and IBF world heavyweight belts.
Who are the official organizers of the Glory in Giza event?
The event is organized by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and Ring Magazine in partnership with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Sela, Tazkarti, the Saudi Boxing Federation, and United Sports Company.
