On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk will defend two of his world heavyweight titles against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt.
Usyk is putting his WBC and WBA titles on the line, although Verhoeven can only win the WBC title.
Usyk is well on his way to becoming one of the greatest heavyweights in history after winning the undisputed crown twice.
Ukrainian great who he knocked out Daniel Dubois last July he faces an unknown in Verhoeven, who is fighting for only the second time as a professional boxer and the first in almost 12 years.
The controversial dispute divided the authorities, and the WBC was the first to sanction it.
The WBA followed suit, but did not give the Dutchman a chance to win, while the IBF did not agree to Usyk defending the belt, although in case of defeat, the 39-year-old will be stripped of the belt.
Usyk face to face with Verhoeven Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Usyk vs Verhoeven – date, place, start time and ring walk
The pair will fight on Saturday, May 23 live from the Giza Pyramids in Egypt
Broadcast will start at 18:00 BST / 13:00 ET / 10:00 PT / 20:00 (local time)
The main event will start around 22:45 BST / 17:45 ET / 14:45 PT / 12:45 (local time on Sunday)
Usyk vs. Verhoeven – how to watch
The card can be viewed live worldwide on DAZN pay-per-view and DAZN Ultimate
Sultan Almohammed (3-0, 2 KO) vs Dedy Imprax (2-4, 1 KO) – lightweight
Omar Hikal (0-0) vs. Ali Sserunkuma (2-3-1) – welterweight
Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya (0-0) vs Michael Kalyalya (3-4-2, 1 KO) – welterweight
Usyk vs Verhoeven – what was said?
“I don’t feel pressure,” Usyk said during his first press conference.
“It’s just that [a] fight.
“It’s a boxing fight. I’ll prepare for this fight.
“Everything’s all right.”
– I don’t think so [Joshua and Dubois] he took his best shot at Usyk,” Verhoeven told reporters, including professional boxing fans.
“He wasn’t hit properly.
“He got hit in the fight against Fury [caught with] upper cut, it was swinging, it was wobbly.
“It can be done.”
Betting odds and what they tell us
Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash, bookmakers are backing Usyk to emerge unscathed, with Bet365 placing him as an 1/18 favorite, while a seismic shift for the challenger is priced at 8/1.
For the latest detailed odds breakdown and what they mean for your picks, check out our full version article about bookmaker odds here.
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Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
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On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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