Usyk to defend title against KICKBOXER in Egypt

BBC SPORT ^ | Feb 27 | BBC SPORT

[RandFan]

Oleksandr Usyk will return to the ring in May when he defends his WBC heavyweight title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Two-time undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk, who holds the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, has not fought since stopping Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July.

In a bout organisers have dubbed the 'Glory in Giza', 36-year-old Dutch heavyweight Verhoeven will be boxing for the first time since 2014 when he faces Usyk on 23 May.

"I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport," said Usyk, who is unbeaten across his 24 professional bouts.

'A mammoth mismatch' - analysis

This is a world heavyweight title fight in the shadow of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - a backdrop so spectacular it almost distracts from how extraordinary, and frankly bizarre, the contest itself is.

Details of the fight's location are light, other than that it will be "under the shadow of ancient giants".

But no matter the location, this will be a mammoth mismatch. And that is not said lightly during a time that has already given us Anthony Joshua v Jake Paul. At least that was framed as spectacle. This is for the WBC heavyweight title.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Sports
KEYWORDS: frukspam; randfan

[RandFan]

Any boxing fans getting fed up of this nonsense?

[BenLurkin]

What is Dutch for “palooka”?

[RandFan]

It is very dangerous

I’m surprised this is being sanctioned? The world’s gone mad

[BookmanTheJanitor]

Fighting once or twice a year...often on pay-per-view. No wonder boxing is dying.

[trebb]

How about this nonsense...

At 2:00 AM, Thomas Massie was already posting attacks on American strikes in Iran, one full hour before they were officially announced. What a coincidence.