Oleksandr Usyk, the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight champion, says his team is exploring the possibility of moving his bout with former Glory heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven because of the unstable situation in the Middle East.
Oleksandr Usyk’s expected crossover fight with Rico Verhoeven may not land in Egypt after all. The undisputed boxing star said his team is actively working on a backup plan for the May 23 event, which had been targeted for Giza, as regional instability forces organizers to consider other options.
That matters because any location change could alter the scale and presentation of a bout that has drawn attention well beyond boxing and kickboxing circles. For Usyk, the fight represents another high-profile showcase while he remains one of the sport’s most accomplished heavyweights. For Verhoeven, it is a chance to test his name value against a global boxing icon and prove he can command mainstream combat sports attention in the U.S. and beyond.
Usyk made clear he is leaving the logistics to his team rather than worrying about the uncertainty himself.
“The team is 100% considering a Plan B, but I’m not thinking about it at all. I know I need to train, and if something happens with the organization of the fight, the team tells me, and I don’t get nervous. I just pray, and that’s it,” the Ukrainian said.
American fight fans are likely to view this less as a divisional turning point than as a curiosity with real crossover appeal. Usyk is already established as an elite heavyweight technician, while Verhoeven brings a decorated kickboxing résumé and a recognizable brand from Glory. The intrigue is obvious, even if the bout does not directly reshape the boxing title picture.
Usyk, meanwhile, still has plenty to protect. At 38, every appearance is judged against his championship legacy, and any non-traditional matchup invites scrutiny from fans who would rather see him in another major boxing defense. The key question now is whether promoters can find a new site without losing momentum. For the moment, the date remains May 23, but the venue is clearly the detail to watch.
