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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven 'Glory in Giza' Set for the Pyramids
Jon Durr-Imagn Images

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven 'Glory in Giza' Set for the Pyramids

Originally posted on Dice City Sports  |  By Robert LaMar  |  Last updated Feb 27, 2026 9:15 PM ET

In one of the most visually ambitious fight settings ever attempted, Usyk and Verhoeven will square off at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, streaming live on DAZN. The event, titled “Glory in Giza,” will mark the first heavyweight title fight staged in Egypt.

Usyk enters as boxing’s reigning king holding The Ring, WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles. He remains unbeaten at 24-0 (15 KOs) and is widely recognized as the sport’s pound-for-pound No. 1, a three-time, two-weight undisputed champion. His last appearance was a fifth-round knockout of Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium. Usyk said: “I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport. Rico is one of them… It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us.”

Across the ring stands Verhoeven, GLORY’s longest-reigning heavyweight champion and a legend in kickboxing with a 66-10 record (21 KOs). Though primarily a kickboxer, he owns a professional boxing win from 2014 via second-round knockout. Verhoeven embraced the magnitude: “Undisputed versus undisputed. The best versus the best.”

What Makes This Fascinating

This isn’t just a novelty crossover it’s a collision of elite champions from two combat sports:

  • Usyk: Master technician, footwork savant, elite ring IQ

  • Verhoeven: Physical powerhouse, proven durability, championship composure

The key question: how much of Verhoeven’s kickboxing dominance translates under pure boxing rules against arguably the most complete heavyweight boxer of this era?

The Setting: Pyramids of Giza

Hosting a world heavyweight championship at one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World elevates this beyond sport it becomes spectacle.

“Glory in Giza” blends:

  • Historic global backdrop

  • Crossover appeal

  • Premium DAZN broadcast

  • Two reigning undisputed champions

Stakes Beyond Belts

For Usyk, this is about legacy and global expansion of his brand. For Verhoeven, it’s an opportunity to test himself against the best pure boxer alive and potentially shock the combat sports world. Either way, the image of two heavyweight champions trading punches beneath the Pyramids could become one of the most iconic visuals in modern fight sports.

This article first appeared on Dice City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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