Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight title against former GLORY kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) on May 23 at Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Their “Glory in Giza” boxing showdown will stream exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view (PPV).
WBC recently issued its final ruling on the upcoming showdown, which faced criticism for allowing Verhoeven to jump the line of ranked contenders. That includes undefeated WBC interim heavyweight titleholder Agit Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs), who is expected to get the winner of Usyk vs. Verhoeven later this year.
“After careful consideration, the WBC Board of Governors has ruled in favor of sanctioning WBC World Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk’s voluntary title defense against legendary kickboxing Champion Rico Verhoeven,” officials wrote in today’s release. “At its 63rd Annual Convention in Bangkok, Thailand, the WBC granted Champion Usyk a voluntary defense. Subsequently, the WBC received a petition to sanction the Usyk vs. Herhoeven fight as a voluntary defense.”
Not coincidentally, sanctioning the bout is the only way WBC can collect its sanctioning fees.
“Champion Usyk’s has showcased incredible activity in recent years, facing and defeating champions in his division like Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois twice. He did all of that while maintaining his undefeated record. In reaching its approval decision, the WBC Board of Governors considered Champion Usyk’s activity, which is unprecedented, especially in the heavyweight division.“
WBC insists Verhoeven’s transition is “not unprecedented” and “within the WBC rules and regulations.”
“Rico has been competing professionally at an elite kickboxing level since 2005,” WBC added. “Over the course of two decades while maintaining that very highest level of competition, he has established himself as arguably one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxing champions of all time.”
Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) has not boxed since knocking out Janos Finfera more than a decade ago.
“Rico’s professional journey has been exceptional, which includes headlining and selling out major stadium arenas in front of 30,000 and 40,000 spectators worldwide. At 36 years of age, he competed in 76 professional kickboxing fights. Rico just recently vacated the Glory Kickboxing Heavyweight title going undefeated in 11 years.”
Additional “Glory in Giza” matchups are expected in the coming weeks.
