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Usyk Defends WBC Title vs Verhoeven in Egypt

5/19/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Usyk Defends Title

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) title against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23.
Usyk also holds the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) belts.
Only the World Boxing Council (WBC) title is at stake for Verhoeven while the IBF will vacate its belt if Usyk loses.
If Usyk wins, the World Boxing Council will order a mandatory fight with interim champion Agit Kabayel.

Summary

Usyk Live Stream

The fight will stream worldwide on DAZN as a pay-per-view event.
Fans can purchase access for £24.99 or $59.99 without a DAZN subscription.
The broadcast begins at 6 pm BST on 23 May, with the main-event walk-outs near 10 pm BST.
Betway lists Usyk at 1/25, Verhoeven at 9/1, and a draw at 25/1.
The undercard features Hamzah Sheeraz versus Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super-middleweight title.

History

Historical Context

After winning the July 21 2018 World Boxing Super Series final, Oleksandr Usyk became the sport’s first four-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion. He moved to heavyweight in 2019, captured Anthony Joshua’s titles in September 2021, and now defends the WBC heavyweight crown against Dutch kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, a bout that could trigger a mandatory fight with Agit Kabayel.

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Usyk Defends Title

Oleksandr Usyk will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) title against Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23.
Usyk also holds the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) belts.
Only the World Boxing Council (WBC) title is at stake for Verhoeven while the IBF will vacate its belt if Usyk loses.
If Usyk wins, the World Boxing Council will order a mandatory fight with interim champion Agit Kabayel.

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