Unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has signed an agreement for a fight against one of the most titled kickboxers of our time, the Dutchman Rico Verhoeven. Insider Rueben Carter reports this on the social network X.
According to the source, the fight is scheduled for May 9. The parties have reached full agreement on all key conditions for organizing the megafight, but the venue is still being kept a strict secret. There is a high probability that the fight will take place with the support of Saudi official Turki Al ash-Sheikh, who previously publicly expressed favor for such a crossover event.
BREAKING NEWS ????
— Rueben Carter ???? (@realruebenking) February 10, 2026
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven is officially signed for May 9th. pic.twitter.com/1AAp7FvoVc
For Usyk, this will be his first official outing against a professional kickboxing representative. The Ukrainian master has already become the undisputed heavyweight champion twice and now continues to seek new challenges after dominant victories over the division's leading boxers.
Rico Verhoeven is a true icon of kickboxing: a long-standing GLORY champion, with a record of 66 wins and 10 losses, and 13 successful heavyweight title defenses. Beyond kickboxing, he already has experience: one fight in professional boxing and one in MMA, both completed with victories. In recent months, the 36-year-old Dutchman has been actively discussing a transition to boxing and has even received offers from various promotions.
