Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven: Hamzah Sheeraz predicts brutal finish
On May 23, at the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk vs kickboxer Rico Verhoeven is set to headline the next Ring fight card for Usyk’s lineal/WBC heavyweight title. The fight has attracted controversy, with uncertainty over whether the governing bodies would sanction the fight. The entire card will stream live on DAZN Pay-Per-View. As we build up to Glory in Giza, Hamzah Sheeraz, who will fight Alem Begic on the undercard for the vacant WBO super middleweight title, has revealed his prediction for the main event to talkSPORT.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven headlines in Giza
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) makes his 2026 bow, having not fought since blowing away Daniel Dubois in their rematch last June. It’s difficult to criticise Usyk, as he has faced all top contenders and, in some cases, beaten them twice, such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO) is best known for his exploits in kickboxing. He has not lost since a 2015 defeat to Andrey Gerasimchuk. His only foray into boxing came in 2014, when he stopped Janos Finfera in the second round.
Hamzah Sheeraz predicts brutal finish in Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
Speaking to talkSPORT, Sheeraz predicted a brutal finish for Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven:
“I think he [Verhoeven] is going to get absolutely ironed out,” Sheeraz told talkSPORT.
“I don’t want to be disrespectful, and I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but you are fighting Oleksandr Usyk.”
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.
