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.
“Rico is one of them – a powerful athlete and a great champion.
“Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline and belief.
“I respect his journey – he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing – a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.
“A big night is coming.”
‘Undisputed versus undisputed’
Verhoeven had 76 fights and 66 wins in his kickboxing career before announcing his departure from the sport in November.
“I spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion and accomplished everything I set out to accomplish. But staying at the top for that long didn’t take away the hunger, it strengthened it,” said Verhoeven.
“I wasn’t looking for comfort, so I started looking for the highest challenge available in another world.
“Usyk is undisputed in boxing. That’s the kind of challenge that motivates me. Undisputed versus undisputed. The best facing the best.”
