Dogli Wilberforce
Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Giza, Egypt, with the bout set near the Pyramids. The event will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN pay-per-view.
The fight has drawn attention across boxing after the WBC Board of Governors approved it as a full title defense. The sanctioning body had initially positioned the matchup as a special event before later confirming it would be contested for the belt.
That shift has sparked debate within the sport, including a reaction from rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma.
Moses Itauma Questions the WBC Decision
Moses Itauma spoke to Ariel Helwani after the WBC confirmed the fight would carry full title status. The 21-year-old said Usyk has earned the right to choose his opponents but questioned whether the decision was appropriate.
“Usyk, he can do whatever he wants. He’s earned that right. But I don’t like to use the word fair, but I don’t think it should be allowed to fight for the world title.”
“Obviously, as I said, Usyk’s earned the right to do whatever he wants, but I don’t think it’s correct for Rico to be able to fight for the world title in his first fight. It’s a bit crazy.”
Itauma also addressed the opportunity from Verhoeven’s side.
“If Rico’s got the opportunity to fight Usyk for the WBC title, it would be foolish for him not to take that. It’s just whether it’s fair if he’s able to fight for it in his first fight. It’s a bit crazy.”
Rico Verhoeven Enters His First Major Boxing Title Fight
Rico Verhoeven, 36, is a long-time kickboxing champion who has built his reputation in Glory with wins over top names in that sport. His professional boxing record includes one bout in 2014.
The fight against Usyk will mark his first appearance in a major boxing contest. The WBC’s decision to sanction the bout as a title fight followed a change in its initial position.
Dan Rafael and other members of the media reported the WBC’s earlier stance on the matchup.
“The WBC fully supports this crossover fight. It will be a WBC’s special event. And we will create an unbelievable belt featuring the elements of the Pyramids of Egypt. The WBC supported Fury vs. Nganu [sic], which turned out to be very competitive, and we have full respect for Rico as a legendary kickboxing heavyweight champion. At this moment, there has not been a discussion of a request to be a title defense and just a special event involving the WBC heavyweight champion.”
That position later changed, with the WBC confirming the fight would be for the title.
“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.”
Organizers have positioned the event as a global showcase, with international distribution through DAZN pay-per-view.
Usyk Prepares for Next Title Defense
Oleksandr Usyk enters the bout unbeaten with a 24-0 record and 15 knockouts. The Ukrainian has held multiple heavyweight titles and remains active at the top level of the division.
The May 23 contest will serve as his next defense of the WBC belt, with Verhoeven stepping in as challenger despite limited boxing experience. Itauma, who holds a 13-0 record with 11 knockouts, continues to build his career while tracking developments in the heavyweight division.
The decision to elevate the bout to a title fight has further focused attention on the matchup, with eyes now on how the contest unfolds and what it could mean for future opportunities in the heavyweight division.
