Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven officially came face-to-face in Egypt ahead of their massive “Glory in Giza” showdown on May 23.
The first staredown took place near the legendary Pyramids of Giza, instantly creating one of the most visually striking moments in combat sports this year as two undefeated heavyweight champions from different disciplines stood in front of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks.
The event will take place in Giza, Egypt and stream globally on DAZN.
Why “Glory in Giza” Already Feels Different
Unlike a traditional arena card, “Glory in Giza” is being promoted as a global spectacle built around the atmosphere and history of Egypt itself.
The heavyweight clash between Usyk and Verhoeven will unfold directly beside the Pyramids of Giza, giving the card a cinematic backdrop rarely seen in modern boxing.
Since the announcement, the event has generated major international attention across boxing, kickboxing and combat sports media because of both the location and crossover nature of the main event.
Usyk vs Verhoeven Brings Together Two Dominant Champions
Usyk enters the fight unbeaten at 24-0 and remains one of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters after victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
Verhoeven, meanwhile, spent more than a decade ruling the GLORY heavyweight division and is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time.
“I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” Usyk said. “Rico is one of them.”
Verhoeven embraced the challenge as well, calling the matchup:
“Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
Egyptian Fighters Also Get Global Spotlight
The event also gives several Egyptian fighters the opportunity to compete on a worldwide stage in front of a global audience.
Egyptian boxers expected on the card include:
- Basem Mamdouh
- Mahmoud Mubarak
- Omar Heikal
Other featured fighters include:
- Hamzah Sheeraz
- Shakhram Giyasov
- Mizuki Hiruta
Combat Sports Heads to One of the World’s Most Famous Locations
With DAZN streaming the event worldwide and international media already covering the buildup heavily, “Glory in Giza” is shaping up to become one of the most unique combat sports productions of 2026.
Now that the first face-off has officially taken place beneath the pyramids, anticipation for Usyk vs Verhoeven continues to grow rapidly heading into fight week.
