Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC heavyweight title by defeating Rico Verhoeven via an 11th-round stoppage on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in a purpose-built outdoor arena at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt [1, 2, 3, 4]. Usyk extended his undefeated professional boxing record to 25 wins [3, 5].

The fight was highly unusual as Verhoeven, a kickboxing legend, entered with only one previous professional boxing fight 12 years earlier, while Usyk came in with 24 prior bouts [1, 2, 6, 3]. Usyk weighed 233.3 pounds (106 kg), a career-high, while Verhoeven weighed 258.7 pounds (117 kg), significantly heavier [2, 6, 7]. Although Usyk held the WBC, WBA 'super', and IBF heavyweight titles, only the WBC belt was on the line for Verhoeven, who was eligible for that title only [2, 6, 3, 7].

The stoppage stirred controversy as Verhoeven appeared competitive, with some scorecards tied or favoring him at the moment of the late flurry that ended the fight near the close of round 11 [3, 4]. Verhoeven said he thought the stoppage was premature, stating, "I wanted the referee to let me go out on my shield or let me go in the 12th. I felt we were pretty even on the scorecards" and later added, "I thought it was an early stoppage but in the end it’s not up to me" [3, 4]. Usyk acknowledged the challenge, saying, "This fight was hard. It was a good fight" [3].

The event carried symbolic significance by showcasing a cross-discipline matchup in the striking arts and staging the bout at a unique global location. Verhoeven remarked, "(This) showcases that there are no limits to what is possible - so that means within fighting and different sports, top dogs within different sports facing each other, and also within every possible location" [1]. Usyk said, "This is important, not only for me. This is important for all boxing, all people and Egypt... It's the first time that we're here. I think, after this fight, a lot of people will look (and say), 'Oh, it's possible, maybe organise a fight in Egypt for the Pyramids, or maybe in Paris'" [1].

The WBC awarded a specially themed "King of the Nile" belt to the winner [1, 8]. The undercard included fighters Hamzah Sheeraz, Jack Catterall, and Frank Sanchez among others [6, 9, 10]. The main card was broadcast worldwide on DAZN pay-per-view, starting at 1 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. local Egypt time, priced at $59.99 [9, 10].

Usyk plans to fight two more times before retirement [6, 5].