Usyk to defend WBC title vs. kickboxer at the Pyramids of Giza - ESPN

Oleksandr Usyk's return to the ring will be a unique one as the three-time undisputed champion will defend the WBC heavyweight title against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, The Ring announced on Friday.

The fight will headline an event dubbed «Glory of Giza: Undefeated Icons» and stream live and exclusively on DAZN.

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) is coming off a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois in July and had limited options for his next fight as he has beaten Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois two times each since 2021. There was discussion surrounding a possible fight with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, but Usyk opted to go in a different direction.

Usyk, 39, had teased an announcement was coming earlier in the week on his social media and a bout with GLORY kickboxing's longest-reigning heavyweight champion had been discussed. Not only will Usyk step into the ring with a man widely regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers of all time with a record of 66-10, but he will also do it at the Pyramids of Giza in North Africa.

«I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,» Usyk said in a statement. «Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn't just about belts. It's about years of hard work, discipline and belief. I respect his journey; he's truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.

»I'm ready and really looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It's going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too."

Fighting out of the Netherlands, Verhoeven held the Glory heavyweight title for 4,220 days, with 13 successful title