‘Dangerous guy’: Oleksandr Usyk discusses Rico Verhoeven preparation

On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven is set to headline the next Ring fight card, in a fight few would have had on their 2026 boxing bingo card. The fight has attracted controversy because the WBC heavyweight title is on the line. The entire card will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View.

The undercard has been set, and both have appeared at a DAZN face-off, where Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) made it clear he’s not taking Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) lightly.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven set for Giza showdown

The fight has attracted plenty of criticism, but initially that was limited due to the WBC’s initial stance, which was reported by many members of the media, including Dan Rafael:

“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.”

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.”

Usyk reveals mindset ahead of Verhoeven fight

At the DAZN face-off, Usyk discussed his mindset ahead of facing a non-traditional boxer:

“For me, it doesn’t matter. Wrestler, kickboxer, but all boxers. My preparation, 100%. My preparation is the same for Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois, all my rivals.

“But I’m not saying he’s not a good boxing guy and not training hard. I’m training more, doing new exercises, but sparring partner is the same as Rico. But we’re training hard every day. It’s a fighter. It’s a dangerous guy.”

Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven full fight card

• Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for lineal/WBC heavyweight title
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO super middleweight title
• Shakhram Giyasov vs Jack Catterall, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA “regular” welterweight title
• Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr., 12 rounds, IBF heavyweight eliminator
• Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s super flyweight title
• Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
• Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweights
• Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax, 4 rounds, lightweights
• Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya vs Michael Kalyala, 4 rounds, middleweights
• Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma, 4 rounds, welterweights

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven, including results and video highlights, and post-fight analysis.