Oleksandr Usyk to Duel with Kickboxing Champion Manta, Rico Verhoeven

JAKARTA - Undisputed two-time heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk is confirmed to be fighting for the WBC heavyweight title. He will face former Dutch kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven.

The big fight titled 'Glory in Giza' is scheduled to take place at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt, on May 23, 2026. This is the first time Verhoeven has fought in a boxing ring since 2014.

"I have great respect for people who reach the highest peaks in their sport. Rico is one of them, a tough athlete and a great champion," Usyk said as quoted by BBC Sport.

This fight plan sparked a debate among boxers. Although Verhoeven had previously fought in a boxing ring, the duel against Usyk was considered to be unbalanced, especially for a world champion belt.

WBO heavyweight belt holder Fabio Wardley is one of the disappointed fighters. The British boxer wanted to get a chance to fight the Ukrainian champion when he became the WBO interim champion, but the belt was vacated so he became the world champion without a duel.

Usyk stressed that the decision was driven by the big name Verhoeven, who is one of the great fighters and hard workers to achieve success.

"I respect his journey, he is really the King of Kickboxing. However, this is boxing, a different game, with its own rules and its own king. A big night is coming," he said.

It was Usyk's first appearance in the ring after he stopped Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July 2021 and claimed the undisputed heavyweight world title for the second time while maintaining an unbeaten record in 24 professional fights.

On the other hand, Verhoeven has recorded 76 fights and 66 wins in his kickboxing career before announcing his retirement from the sport in November.

"Usyk is an undefeated boxing champion. Challenges like that are what motivate me. An undefeated champion against an undefeated champion. The best against the best," said Verhoeven.