Usyk to Defend WBA Title vs Verhoeven at Giza May 23

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBA heavyweight title against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, after the sanctioning body approved the bout under special conditions that prevent the challenger from claiming the belt.

The WBA Championship Committee granted permission following a request from Usyk's camp, citing Rule C.40 and the interests of competition. Usyk enters as the recognized champion, and a victory will count as an official title defense. Should Verhoeven win, however, he would not become champion due to his unranked status with the organization. Instead, he would become eligible for the WBA heavyweight rankings, and the committee would review the title's status to determine next steps.

The matchup, billed as Glory in Giza and streamed on DAZN, marks the first world title fight at the ancient site. It is scheduled for 12 rounds in the heavyweight division with no weight limit. The WBC has already sanctioned the contest as a title bout, while the IBF's position remains unclear.

Usyk, a 39-year-old Ukrainian southpaw with a 24-0 record including 15 knockouts, holds undisputed heavyweight status after unifying the division. He...