Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven undercard confirmed

On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) and Rico Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) are scheduled to meet in a fight few would have thought was possible. In a move that caused controversy in the boxing world, the WBC announced it will sanction Usyk’s voluntary title defence against legendary kickboxing champion Verhoeven. The entire card will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

Ahead of Glory in Giza, Turki Alalshikh has now confirmed the full fight card for May 23.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven set for May 23

Many members of the media, including Dan Rafael, reported the WBC’s initial stance on Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: “The WBC fully supports this crossover fight. It will be a WBC ‘special event’, and we will create an unbelievable belt featuring the elements of Pyramids of Egypt. The WBC supported Fury vs. Nganu [sic], which turned out to be very competitive, and we have full respect of Rico as a legendary kickboxing heavyweight champion. At this moment, there has not been discussion of a request to be a title defense and just a special event involving the WBC heavyweight champion.”

To the shock of some and annoyance of others, the initial stance later changed with the WBC announcing on their own website: “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.”

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic

Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) will return to action against German Alem Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs). They will meet for the vacant WBO world super middleweight title.

Sheeraz made a memorable debut at super middleweight, blowing away Edgar Berlanga, stopping the Puerto Rican in the fifth round. Begic has fought at a lower level, with his best wins coming against David Kerkmann and Mahdi Safdari.

Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov

Next up on the undercard is Jack Catterall (32-2, 14 KOs) vs Shakhram Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs). These two will meet for the WBA regular welterweight title. This bout presents a huge opportunity for both to move on to bigger fights in the future.

Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr

Richard Torrez Jr (14-0, 12 KOs) vs Frank Sanchez was due to take place on the Tim Tszyu undercard, before Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) suffered a knee injury. Both fighters didn’t have to wait too long to find a new date, with it now confirmed for the Usyk vs Verhoeven undercard. This is an intriguing heavyweight clash, with bigger fights on offer to the winner.

Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman

Women’s boxing will also get its moment in the spotlight on the Usyk vs Verhoeven undercard, with Mizuki Hiruta (10-0, 2 KOs) meeting Mai Soliman (10-1, 6 KOs) for the WBO world super flyweight title.

Hiruta won the vacant title back in 2022, defeating Kanako Taniyama. She has rarely looked in trouble since, with her best wins coming against Gloria Gallardo and Naomy Josefina Cardenas Gomez. Soliman will travel to Giza full of confidence, having been unbeaten since her second professional bout.

Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley

Unbeaten American cruiserweight Jamar Talley (6-0, 5 KOs) will face Basem Mamdouh (10-2, 4 KOs). Mamdouh will be eager to impress on the biggest stage in front of his own people, but Talley has shown clear promise and recently appeared on the Zuffa 02 show, where he defeated Devonte Williams.

Mahmoud Mobark vs Michael Kalyalya

Also on the Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven undercard is Egyptian debutant Mohamed Mabrouk vs Michael Kalyalya (3-4-1, 1 KO).

Omar Hikal vs Ali Ssurunkuma