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Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven: How to watch in the UK, ringside times, date, TV channel, undercard

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In what promises to be one of the most intriguing events of the year, Oleksandr Usyk will face Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23.

A heavyweight battle will take place in one of the most iconic venues in the world, with three title fights on the card.

– How Jason Statham helped Rico Verhoeven in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk

Here’s everything you need to know before the fight.


When is Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven?

Oleksandr Usyk will face Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23. The fight will take place at the Giza Necropolis, in front of the archaic Pyramids of Giza, just outside Cairo, Egypt.


Who is Rico Verhoeven?

Rico Verhoeven is a Dutch kickboxing champion who held the GLORY heavyweight title for over a decade and was undefeated since 2015. He trains under Peter Fury, Tyson’s uncle.

Verhoeven is a powerful 6-foot-7, 270-pound athlete who has dominated his sport for years. He has also been involved in the film industry, appearing in several action films, and most recently worked on this film


How to watch Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven in the UK

The fight will be broadcast live on British television DAZN in the pay-per-view system

ESPN will also provide live coverage of the event and the latest fight week news.


Time in the ring for Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven

Ring tour hours have not been announced. However, the main card is expected to go live around 5pm BST. Cairo is an hour ahead of BST.


What is at risk?

Usyk will put his WBC heavyweight title on the line, giving Verhoeven a chance to become world heavyweight champion. Although Usyk is still the unified heavyweight champion who also holds the WBA and IBF belts, these fights will not take place on May 23.


Undercard Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven

  • Title fight: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, 12 rounds, for Usyk’s WBC heavyweight title

  • Title fight: Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO super middleweight title

  • Title fight: Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov, 12 rounds, for vacant WBA welterweight title

  • Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr., 10 rounds, heavyweight

  • Title fight: Mizuki Hiruta vs. Mai Soliman, 10 rounds, for Hiruta’s WBO women’s junior bantamweight title

  • Basem Mamdouh vs. Jamar Talley, 6 rounds, cruiserweight

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Fans predict ‘0-7’ after Anthony Joshua lists heavyweight targets

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Image: Fans Predict '0-7' After Anthony Joshua Names Heavyweight Targets

This comment stood out because it reflected a broader theme running through the responses.

“I have to beat the next fight first,” one fan wrote.

“AJ is fed up,” wrote another.

“Itauma would humiliate AJ,” predicted a third commenter.

“The man is just talking nonsense, stfu and let’s see then,” wrote another fan.

Others questioned why Joshua had already spoken to Fury, Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, Moses Itauma and Deontay Wilder before joining Prengi.

This reaction shows how rapidly the opinion about the former two-time heavyweight champion has changed. Joshua still talks openly about becoming a three-time world champion and competing in the biggest fights available.

Many fans remain unconvinced.

Joshua lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and was knocked out by Dubois in his last fight against a top heavyweight. These setbacks led some observers to doubt whether he could still compete with the most threatening fighters in the division.

Skepticism was evident throughout the reaction to Joshua’s list. Instead of debating which fight should come first, many fans focused on whether he could beat any of the opponents he mentioned.

Joshua sees Fury, Dubois, Wardley, Kabayel, Itauma and Wilder as the main options still available to him.

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Tony Bellew recalls his ‘greatest night in boxing’

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Tony Bellew reflects on his ‘greatest ever night in boxing’

Former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has described what he considers to be the “greatest night” of his impressive 34-fight career; during which he faced players such as Adonis Stevenson, David Haye and Oleksandr Usyk.

Bellew began his professional career at lightweight heavyweight, winning the British and Commonwealth titles at 175 pounds, but losing to both Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson while fighting for world titles.

The defeat against the Canadian resulted in his move to cruiserweight, where the proud Evertonian defeated Mateusz Masternak in the fight for the EBU European belt, then stopped Ilunga Makabu within three rounds and won the WBC world title at Goodison Park.

Two victories over the legendary David Haye would soon follow, but the third defeat of his career, at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, turned out to be “The Bomber’s last appearance as a professional, as the iconic Ukrainian stopped Bellew when he had no cards in the eighth round of the game in 2018.

On X, Bellew celebrated the 10th anniversary of his world title win over Makabu, describing the evening as “the greatest night ever”.

“My greatest night ever!! I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already!” #WBC

The Bellew-Makabu card featured a wealth of Liverpool talent on the evening, with Callum, Paul and Stephen Smith performing alongside David Price, James Metcalf, Tom Farrell, Gerald Carroll and Craig Glover in an incredible display of Liverpool’s talent pool.

Makabu won the WBC world title himself, overtaking Michał Cieślak in the fight for the belt in 2020, and then defended the title twice before losing it to Badou Jacek in 2023.

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Devin Haney responds after Keyshawn Davis moves to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings

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Image: Bill Haney Explodes After Hearn Slams Devin’s Dull Norman Performance

The WBO champion quickly accepted a fight with Davis after the challenger rose to the top of the rankings

Devin Haney wasted no time reacting after Keyshawn Davis was elevated to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings. The champion publicly welcomed the matchup, posting a low message on social media shortly after the updated rankings were released.


This is absolute theater and to look at it like everything else is to succumb to the promotional machine. The moment the WBO rankings dropped and Keyshawn took the No. 1 spot, Haney knew the clock was ticking.

Had he remained still or tried to minimize Keyshawn’s 147-pound inexperience, the boxing world would have immediately labeled him a shirker. By jumping on X and immediately matching the energy, he completely obfuscates this narrative. He begins to look like a fearless champion who is ready for everyone, knowing full well that posting on social media doesn’t cost a penny or require a contract.

The reality of the situation suggests that this is a calculated public relations move rather than a genuine desire for several different reasons:

  • Financial reality: Haney always strives for the highest possible bottom line. While the Keyshawn fight is in high demand among die-hard fans, it doesn’t compare to the massive payday of a potential rematch with Ryan Garcia or the other blockbuster pay-per-view opportunities that are likely at the top of his wish list.
  • Mandatory timeline cushion: Haney knows how bodywork mechanisms turn. Even with the WBO expected to order a mandatory challenge this summer, negotiations, price offers and promotional extensions could add months to the schedule. He has plenty of time to consider other options before the real pressure comes.
  • Risk versus reward: Fighting a adolescent, hungry and highly skilled fighter like Keyshawn, who has never even fought at welterweight, is a hazardous proposition in a title defense when there are much more lucrative, established names on the market.

Haney’s quick response was a great defensive move outside the ring to protect his brand. He gave fans an exhilarating quote they wanted to see, but when it comes to actual network deals, promotional arrangements and guarantees, the energy will likely change. On social media it’s uncomplicated to say “Let’s do this”; it’s a completely different story when the contract is sitting on your desk.

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Categories Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis

Last updated: 2026/06/03 at 1:58

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