The countdown continues for one of the most unusual combat sports events of 2026.
Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven are set to headline “Glory in Giza” on May 23 in Giza, bringing together two undefeated heavyweight champions from different combat sports worlds.
The event will take place beside the legendary Pyramids of Giza and stream globally on DAZN, adding to the spectacle surrounding the crossover showdown.
What Is Glory in Giza?
“Glory in Giza” is a large-scale combat sports event centered around the heavyweight clash between boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk and GLORY kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven.
The card combines boxing, crossover combat sports entertainment, and international production around one of the most recognizable locations in the world.
Since the first faceoff between the two champions near the pyramids, the event has generated heavy discussion across boxing and kickboxing communities worldwide.
When Is Usyk vs Verhoeven?
The event takes place on:
Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
The official local start time in Giza, Egypt is scheduled for:
9 PM Giza Time
How to Watch Usyk vs Verhoeven
Fans around the world will be able to stream “Glory in Giza” live on DAZN.
The event is expected to receive international coverage due to the crossover nature of the main event and the historic setting beside the pyramids.
Usyk vs Verhoeven Global Start Times
Here are the currently announced global start times for major regions around the world:
Saturday, May 23
- Los Angeles — 11:00 AM
- Phoenix — 11:00 AM
- San Antonio — 1:00 PM
- New York — 2:00 PM
- Toronto — 2:00 PM
- São Paulo — 3:00 PM
- London — 7:00 PM
- Lisbon — 8:00 PM
- Berlin — 8:00 PM
- Madrid — 8:00 PM
- Paris — 8:00 PM
- Rome — 8:00 PM
- Johannesburg — 8:00 PM
- Kyiv — 9:00 PM
- Riyadh — 9:00 PM
- Istanbul — 9:00 PM
- New Delhi — 11:30 PM
Sunday, May 24
- Hanoi — 1:00 AM
- Singapore — 2:00 AM
- Manila — 2:00 AM
- Tokyo — 3:00 AM
- Sydney — 4:00 AM
- Wellington — 6:00 AM
Why This Event Has Drawn So Much Attention
The matchup itself already feels unique because of the backgrounds involved.
Usyk remains unbeaten in professional boxing and is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world after victories over names such as Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois.
Verhoeven, meanwhile, dominated the GLORY heavyweight division for years and built a reputation as one of kickboxing’s most successful heavyweight champions.
But beyond the fight itself, much of the buzz comes from the presentation.
The decision to stage the event beside the Pyramids of Giza immediately separated “Glory in Giza” from a standard arena show and transformed it into a global spectacle.
Egypt Becomes the Center of Combat Sports for One Night
The event is also expected to feature Egyptian fighters competing in front of a worldwide audience alongside international names from boxing and combat sports.
With DAZN handling the broadcast and global attention continuing to grow online, “Glory in Giza” is shaping up to become one of the most visually unique fight events of the year.
And now, with fight week approaching, all eyes turn toward Egypt.
