Usyk vs Rico LIVE!
Oleksandr Usyk just about navigated a major scare against Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday night. Unified world heavyweight champion Usyk looked in serious danger of falling victim to what would have been one of the biggest upsets in sporting history against a kickboxing legend whose only previous professional boxing bout came 12 years ago. The pound-for-pound No1 really struggled against the impressive Verhoeven, who most onlookers thought was winning the fight heading into the late stages.
However, Usyk rallied crucially late in round 11 to send Verhoeven down with an uppercut before his subsequent follow-up pressure then told as referee Mark Lyson stepped in with a stoppage that was officially timed with just one second remaining in the round, leaving Verhoeven and his team furious at what they considered a premature intervention in the circumstances.
Hamzah Sheeraz brushed aside Alem Begic to collect the vacant WBO super-middleweight title after Jack Catterall picked up the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight crown by dominating Shakhram Giyasov. Frank Sanchez knocked out Richard Torrez Jr in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator after Mizuki Hiruta’s latest successful defence and a surprise loss for Daniel Lapin. Follow Usyk vs Rico as it happened below!
Usyk vs Rico results
- Usyk avoids major upset with controversial late stoppage
- Superb Sheeraz becomes world champion for first time
- Punch-perfect Catterall beats Giyasov for WBA 'regular' belt
- Sanchez knocks out Torrez Jr in final IBF eliminator
- Hiruta dominates Soliman in seventh title defence
- Lapin stopped by Tani in huge opening shock
02:44 , George Flood
Here are the scorecards at the time of that controversial stoppage.
Two judges - Spain’s Manuel Oliver Palomo and Fabian Guggenheim of Switzerland - had the fight dead level at 95-95 heading into round 11, which would have been a 10-8 round for Usyk with the knockdown, if Verhoeven had seen the bell.
A third judge, Canada’s Pasquale Procopio, had Verhoeven ahead by a single round, 96-94.
A 10-8 round in the 11th would have seen Usyk go into the final three minutes up 105-103 on two cards, with the other level.
I’m sure those won’t prove controversial at all!
The Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven scorecards prior to the stoppage 👀
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
Glory in Giza on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/4KJ2i72gwx
Scorecards at time of controversial stoppage revealed
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:57 , George Flood
Here are the scorecards at the time of that controversial stoppage.
Two judges - Spain’s Manuel Oliver Palomo and Fabian Guggenheim of Switzerland - had the fight dead level at 95-95 heading into round 11, which would have been a 10-8 round for Usyk with the knockdown, if Verhoeven had seen the bell.
A third judge, Canada’s Pasquale Procopio, had Verhoeven ahead 96-94.
A 10-8 round in the 11th would have seen Usyk go into the final three minutes up 105-103 on two cards, with the other level.
I’m sure those won’t prove controversial at all!
The Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven scorecards prior to the stoppage 👀
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
Glory in Giza on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/4KJ2i72gwx
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:53 , George Flood
Jake Paul is pulling no punches with his assessment of that fight on social media tonight...
I mean that’s the most insane shit I’ve ever seen
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 23, 2026
Rico winning every round and the moment the ref sees to end it then he ends jt are you kidding
Im the biggest usyk fan but bro you lost that shit
Shoutout to rico for beating his ass every round and getting jipped
Damnnnnnn
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:50 , George Flood
Usyk admits it was a tough fight.
Agit Kabayel is in the ring afterwards in a Germany shirt as his camp look to ensure that the long-time interim WBC heavyweight champion is next in line for a crack at Usyk, no doubt encouraged by what he has seen tonight.
They want that fight in Germany.
Turki Alalshikh rather shuts it down though, insisting that he wants to see Usyk fight Kabayel but Verhoeven also given a rematch.
Usyk, as ever, won’t give a straight answer on who he would rather face next.
“I’ll fight them both,” he says with a trademark grin.
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:48 , George Flood
Verhoeven and trainer Peter Fury - Tyson’s uncle - are not as angry as I thought they would be at a massively controversial stoppage that came just one solitary second before the bell in round 11.
They both agree it was early, with Verhoeven frustrated that he didn’t get the chance to go out on his shield.
But they are both nevertheless delighted with his performance tonight.
And rightly so.
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:15 , George Flood
That stoppage was timed at 2 minutes and 59 seconds of round 11.
Just a second to go before the bell!
Usyk seems likely to have stopped him in the 12th anyway the way that was going, but you never know - and Verhoeven may well have been ahead on the cards.
A hugely controversial stoppage. It felt too early from referee Mark Lyson.
But what an outstanding effort from Verhoeven, a kickboxing great but a boxing novice who pushed one of the greatest of all-time all the way.
A remarkable night in Egypt.
Usyk retains his unified heavyweight titles and remains unbeaten at 25-0.
Oleksandr Usyk stops Rico Verhoeven in 11th round as major upset avoided
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:10 , George Flood
Brutal from Usyk with the uppercut and Verhoeven is down late in the 11th!
Verhoeven gets back up and is crucially given time to put his mouthguard back in - much to the fury of Usyk and his corner.
Usyk goes right for him again after the restart and lets more huge shots fly with Verhoeven stranded against the ropes with his legs almost gone.
The bell is sounding but the referee has stepped in to wave it off!
Verhoeven’s team are furious.
Wow. Usyk wins by stoppage in the 11th round to avoid a disastrous defeat!
Usyk vs Rico
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:06 , George Flood
How badly Usyk needed that furious finish to the 10th, again flipping a switch out of nowhere and letting his hands fly.
That’s much more like the Usyk we know and there is damage to the side of Verhoeven’s face that will require attention.
Verhoeven tries to fire back before the bell and lands...
Usyk vs Rico
Sunday 24 May 2026 00:02 , George Flood
Usyk continues to look so flustered and out of sorts.
It feels like he has seriously underestimated Verhoeven here, despite his pre-fight claims to the contrary.
Fury-Ngannou, anyone?
Peter Fury imparts more words of wisdom in Rico’s corner, while Usyk is sat on his stool looking rather deflated.
Into the championship rounds, three to go. Are we entering Usyk needs a knockout territory?!
Surely not...
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:59 , George Flood
I have never seen someone able to unsettle Usyk so badly and so easily on the inside.
Verhoeven is getting past his defences with ease and hurting him with some bruising flurries time and again.
What has happened to Usyk’s footwork?!
The disparity in scorecards across the spectrum tonight is remarkable.
Mike Coppinger has Verhoeven up 79-73, others have it dead level through eight.
This feels like it’s going to be controversial...
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:56 , George Flood
I just cannot fathom what is unfolding here.
Enormous credit to Verhoeven, who continues to rattle Usyk with some huge right hands.
Usyk still looks stunned by his approach and just cannot work out how to break him down.
If he was banking on Verhoeven running out of steam, it doesn’t look like happening any time soon.
Just incredible.
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:53 , George Flood
Another round in the bag for Verhoeven! This is utterly remarkable.
He remains far more busy, energetic and aggressive, rattling Usyk with those solid single shots.
Usyk looks so tired and his usual technical brilliance, sky-high ring IQ and dazzling footwork and movement is totally deserting him at the moment.
Only five rounds to go...
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:51 , George Flood
Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine has Verhoeven 5-1 up through six rounds, as do many people on social media.
I think it’s closer than that, but still - this is incredible from the kickboxing icon.
Usyk has to get a hold of himself here.
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:49 , George Flood
This is so, so un-Usyk like at the moment and he should be down on the judges’ scorecards at the halfway stage.
He is looking ponderous and lethargic, unusually gun-shy and slow.
Verhoeven remains busier and more energetic. His conditioning is excellent.
Could he really do this?!
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:46 , George Flood
A really competitive fifth round as both men have pockets of success.
Verhoeven is not tiring here and showing an excellent engine after establishing that high tempo from the outset.
Usyk is not as busy and active as usual, he looks a step slow still - is it the extra weight?
I think he still edged that round, but this remains an extremely close contest.
And who expected that?
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:40 , George Flood
Usyk springs into life in the fourth, suddenly flipping a switch and rocking Verhoeven with some punishing shots in the middle of the ring including a shuddering, swinging left uppercut that was bang on the money.
Verhoeven’s legs look a little unsteady.
But he rides it out to his credit and again tries to fight fire with fire, throwing those big right hands.
A clear Usyk round.
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:37 , George Flood
I think Usyk has been taken by surprise by this early aggression from Verhoeven.
But he shouldn’t have been - it always felt like the longer this fight went on, the less chance the kickboxer had.
Verhoeven continues to close the gap easily and hit Usyk on the inside. There is some real power on these shots and they are landing.
Usyk unleashes a lovely right hand, but back comes Verhoeven quickly as he continues to sustain this impressive early pace.
Whisper it quietly, but is it 3-0 to the kickboxer?! I would give the second to Usyk, but Verhoeven must be ahead to this point, which is a headline in itself.
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:32 , George Flood
This has been rather uncomfortable for Usyk early on and he’s yet to really get going.
Verhoeven is the obvious aggressor, crucially staying on the move and applying pressure on Usyk, hoping to land that thudding right hand to body and head.
Usyk cracks Verhoeven with a fizzing uppercut and the Dutchman tries to respond straightaway, fighting fire with fire.
He’s not hurting Usyk, but he’s looking to pressure him wherever possible and swing in those powerful blows at close range.
Usyk has looked a step slow so far, but he landed some good shots of his own in that close round.
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:27 , George Flood
Usyk starts to go to work behind that jab before he’s rushed by the hulking Verhoeven, who gets him against the ropes with a rattling right upstairs.
This has been an impressive start by the kickboxer, who digs Usyk hard to the body with another fierce right hand.
He’s taken that opening round. He’ll be thrilled with that.
Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:24 , George Flood
Here we go!
Will this be the easiest night’s work of Usyk’s illustrious career, or are we on for one of the biggest upsets of all time?
Time to find out.
An early right hand lands from Verhoeven...
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:21 , George Flood
We’ve had the national anthems of Egypt, the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Chants of ‘Usyk’ can be heard at ringside as we gear up for Michael Buffer’s final introductions.
Almost time to get underway at last...
Oleksandr Usyk ring walk
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:17 , George Flood
Here comes the champion. Is that Roman battle regalia he is sporting?
The fireworks and pyrotechnics are quite impressive as he marches his way to join Verhoeven in the ring.
Say what you like about tonight’s event, but the scenery is absolutely incredible.
Boxing has never seen a backdrop like this.
It’s time for the national anthems.
Rico Verhoeven ring walk
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:12 , George Flood
Michael Buffer is on the mic and here comes the challenger, who can only win the WBC and The Ring heavyweight belts tonight.
The WBA and IBF titles are not his to claim, though Usyk will be stripped of both if he loses.
Verhoeven is jumping up and down on the spot, flanked by men dressed as pharaohs with torches and expending a lot of nervous energy as the EDM music blares out.
Now he races into the ring as we await Usyk’s arrival.
A reminder that it has gone past 1am local time in Egypt...
Usyk vs Rico: Tale of the tape
Saturday 23 May 2026 23:07 , George Flood
Here’s a quick look at the tale of the tape before the main event ring walks finally begin.
Verhoeven is two inches taller than Usyk, two years younger, 25lbs heavier and boasts a slight reach advantage.
But it surely won’t matter...
Tale Of The Tape | Presented by @HUMAIN
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
🥊 Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
👑 Ring and WBC heavyweight titles
⏰ Tonight
📍Pyramids of Giza
📺 DAZN pic.twitter.com/RGHZymMYeZ
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:58 , George Flood
Usyk’s dominant victory feels a foregone conclusion to me - I’m expecting it to be more Joshua vs Ngannou than Fury vs Ngannou.
Renowned for his masterful technical skills, Usyk can be a truly spiteful puncher when he wants to be and won’t take this lightly, as Fury did against MMA heavyweight powerhouse Ngannou and almost paid the price.
Having said that, Verhoeven could prove difficult to knock out as his extensive kickboxing background means he is extremely tough and durable.
A dominant points win for Usyk wouldn’t be a surprise therefore, but I think he will totally control proceedings before turning up the tempo and stopping Verhoeven late on.
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:53 , George Flood
The longer this wait continues, the more some people seem to be talking their way into Verhoeven having even a puncher’s chance tonight of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in sporting history.
Would it be bigger than 42-1 shot Buster Douglas famously stunning then-unbeaten and undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in Tokyo in 1990?
Yes, surely.
The world’s best heavyweight boxers cannot get close to Usyk, let alone someone who, while a kickboxing superstar, has boxed professionally once - in 2014.
This really should be Usyk’s fight to win at any time he likes, otherwise it’s a real blow for boxing’s reputation in general.
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:47 , George Flood
Sheeraz’s early demolition job on the hopelessly overmatched Begic means we’re having a bit of an extended wait for tonight’s main event.
Ring walks should be on the way very shortly, and apparently they are very elaborate and befitting of the quite incredible setting.
Usyk vs Rico next
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:35 , George Flood
Right, just the main event to come now, set against a stunning backdrop at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Unbeaten unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC title against kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven - who is 12 years removed from his only professional boxing fight to date.
On paper, it’s a mismatch of absolutely epic proportions.
Anything other than a comfortable victory for Usyk will be widely seen as an embarrassment for the pound-for-pound No1 and a real blot to his unblemished reputation.
A defeat would unquestionably rank as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Maybe the biggest?
One of the biggest in any sport, period.
Canelo fight on the horizon for Sheeraz?
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:30 , George Flood
All roads appear to be leading towards Canelo for Sheeraz as manager Spencer Brown speaks on future plans for the new WBO super-middleweight world champion.
Canelo first has to get past WBC champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh on September 12, of course.
Jaime Munguia is the new WBA champion at 168lbs after defeating fellow Mexican Armando Resendiz in Las Vegas on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Cuba’s Osleys Iglesias picked up the IBF belt against Russia’s Pavel Silyagin in Montreal last month.
Guatemala’s Lester Martinez is also in the mix as WBC interim champion after beating Immanuwel Aleem in California in March.
Sheeraz stops Begic in second round to claim WBO super-middleweight title
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:09 , George Flood
As one-sided as it gets, Begic has been completely and utterly overwhelmed from the outset - as most thought that he would be.
He is being battered around the ring by a ferocious and unforgiving Sheeraz, who traps him in the corner and lets those heavy punches fly.
There’s just no respite whatsoever for Begic, who is absorbing the full array of punches - jabs, hooks and uppercuts aplenty.
He’s crunched by a wincing blow to the body and sinks to the canvas, on his haunches and grimacing in pain.
He’s counted out in round two and Sheeraz is hoisted aloft - a world champion at last.
A total mismatch.
Sheeraz vs Begic
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:06 , George Flood
A quality start from Sheeraz, who is much taller and bigger than Begic.
The Brit takes centre ring immediately and gets to work behind that stinging long jab.
He’s already going through the gears and looking several classes above, picking some spiteful punches.
Begic is being worked already to both head and body, walked down constantly.
A very ominous start for the German.
Sheeraz vs Begic
Saturday 23 May 2026 22:03 , George Flood
39-year-old Begic, from Munich, is currently ranked at No4 by the WBO and is their former European champion.
He is unbeaten at 29-0-1, but has his work seriously cut out tonight against Sheeraz, who, as manager Spencer Brown told DAZN earlier, is long overdue his first world title with some huge fights on the horizon.
Begic has never previously faced anyone close to Sheeraz’s quality.
Sheeraz was originally supposed to face Diego Pacheco for the vacant WBO belt, but the latter declined the opportunity.
Here we go...
Sheeraz takes on Begic for vacant WBO super-middleweight title
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:56 , George Flood
Right then, it’s time for Hamzah Sheeraz and the co-main event of the night in Egypt, where we are about an hour away now from Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven.
Slough’s Sheeraz is looking to become a world champion for the first time at the second attempt after missing out on the WBC middleweight title in agonising fashion with that draw against Carlos Adames in Riyadh last February in which he broke his hand early on.
He subsequently moved up to super-middleweight and knocked out Edgar Berlanga in stunning fashion in New York five months later.
He is the huge favourite against veteran German Alem Begic as he goes for the WBO super-middleweight belt that became vacant with the retirement of undisputed champion Terence Crawford following his sensational win over Canelo Alvarez.
All signs could be pointing towards Canelo vs Sheeraz in a big unification clash next if Sheeraz wins tonight and Canelo beats WBC champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh in September...
Catterall eyes Rolly Romero fight after brushing aside Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:43 , George Flood
A typically humble and respectful post-fight interview from the ever-likable Catterall, who is over the moon with his dominant victory and the manner of it.
Catterall and promoter Eddie Hearn are now targeting that huge showdown with Rolly Romero next.
It sounds like talks will be underway soon...
Catterall dominates Giyasov to become WBA 'regular' welterweight champion
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:33 , George Flood
Here come those all-important judges’ scorecards...
118-109, 119-108, 116-111 - all in favour of Jack Catterall, who is the new WBA ‘regular’ welterweight champion.
Will he now be upgraded to the full title after Rolly Romero’s elevation to ‘super champion’ and retirement claim?
Catterall is now 33-2 and his prospects have just gone soaring up. And that was just his third fight up at 147lbs.
A first professional defeat for Giyasov, who falls to 17-1.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:29 , George Flood
Giyasov ups the work rate again in the final round but it’s too little, too late as Catterall fends him off and lands a few more solid left hands for good measure.
The final bell sounds and there’s a triumphant roar from Catterall’s corner.
What a performance from El Gato - his best since that massively controversial defeat by Josh Taylor in 2022?
I had that 10-2 in terms of rounds, the first being a 10-8 with the early knockdown.
He should walk this on the cards to pick up the WBA’s ‘regular’ welterweight title.
Superb.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:25 , George Flood
Jason Statham - a close friend of Rico Verhoeven’s who is credited with playing a key role in convincing Turki Alalshikh to put on tonight’s main event - looks as cool as ever in his shades at ringside.
He will be impressed by Catterall, though Giyasov has suddenly woken up at the end of the penultimate round as he begins to let his hands go and put El Gato under pressure.
He couldn’t, could he?
Three minutes left...
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:21 , George Flood
Giyasov is down again with seconds left in the 10th round but it’s ruled a slip, not a knockdown.
But it was another three minutes of fruitless toil for the 2016 Olympic silver medallist and former amateur world and Asian champion.
Catterall’s discipline and control is simply not wavering.
There is no way in for Giyasov, who unquestionably needs a late knockout here to avoid a first professional defeat.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:18 , George Flood
It’s a much slower tempo now from Catterall, but it’s absolute control still and his jab is getting the job done nicely.
The television commentary team question if Giyasov is out of ideas, but in truth he never looked to have any after that knockdown within the first 90 seconds of round one.
He cannot figure out how to break down the tricky and tactical southpaw.
This is top-class stuff from Catterall, who has won eight out of nine rounds on my card.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:14 , George Flood
Giyasov continues to absorb these damaging one-two combinations.
Catterall continues to completely control this fight as the rounds quickly tick away from a lacklustre and passive Giyasov.
Giyasov is still so bizarrely cautious and tentative, with no busyness or urgency at all.
Not trying to let his hands go despite being a country mile behind on the cards.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:09 , George Flood
Giyasov just can’t seem to work out a solution to Catterall’s southpaw strengths as we move into the second half of this fight.
Catterall is using his left hand nicely to tee up some driving rights to the body that get the crowd excited.
A few swinging left hooks from the Brit also land upstairs, buzzing Giyasov.
He counters so well and must be 6-1 up now through seven.
Giyasov does look dangerous when he manages to chase down Catterall and find a home for that thudding right, but it’s happened far, far too infrequently.
He has a mountain to climb from here, unless he can start finding some big shots, quickly.
Catterall has never been stopped of course.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:04 , George Flood
Giyasov eats another stinging left hand early in the sixth.
Catterall then works the body well to further hammer home his advantage.
Giyasov’s face is very red now and there is blood coming from the nose, which looks busted.
Catterall’s corner tell him to keep jabbing to the body, which he does to strong effect.
Giyasov looks surprised by Catterall’s quality in there.
5-1 to El Gato?
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 21:00 , George Flood
Giyasov again applies the pressure in the fifth, leading to some fast and furious close-range flurries - the bulk of which looked to go in Catterall’s favour.
The Chorley fighter is a master tactician when he wants to be and can be a real puzzle to break down.
Giyasov still isn’t really busy enough and Catterall looks to have another round in the bag, but the Uzbek does close strongly with an aggressive flurry in the corner.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:56 , George Flood
A much-needed busier fourth round from Giyasov, who tries to snap out of his early funk and apply far more pressure on a cruising Catterall.
He’s on the front foot and trying to let his hands go, ramming through with the right.
It’s giving Catterall more to think about after El Gato had completely controlled the tempo to this point.
Catterall is still utilising that jab nicely, but you’d have to give that fourth to Giyasov.
He’s on the board.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:53 , George Flood
This is as good as I’ve seen Catterall for a long time through three rounds.
He’s totally controlling this fight so far, completely nullifying Giyasov’s threats and repeatedly finding a home for that left hand.
3-0 at a breeze.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:50 , George Flood
It’s all very tentative and unsteady from Giyasov, whose confidence looks to have been rocked by that early knockdown.
That southpaw left hand is causing him so many problems.
2-0 to El Gato.
We should mention by the way that Rolly Romero said this week that he had retired after a frustrating year trying and failing to secure big fights after outpointing Ryan Garcia in Times Square last May.
Sounds more like frustration than anything, though. He will surely be back soon.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:45 , George Flood
A dream start for Catterall, a defensive fighter and counter-puncher by trade whose fights aren’t typically explosive for the most part.
But that was a lovely left hand that landed on the money and put Giyasov on his backside.
Another strong left looked to hurt Giyasov before the bell, but he does make it to the corner.
The legs still aren’t back underneath him.
Catterall knocks down Giyasov early in first round
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:42 , George Flood
Giyasov is down after just 90 seconds of round one! Wow.
What a start from Catterall as he detonates a peach of a left hand.
Giyasov is back up but on extremely shaky legs...
Catterall and Giyasov target full WBA welterweight title
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:36 , George Flood
While Catterall and Giyasov will technically be competing for one of the WBA’s confusing and criticised - and vacant - ‘regular’ titles tonight, it seems likely that Romero’s elevation to ‘super champion’ status this week will see the winner of this bout upgraded to full champion sooner rather than later.
Catterall’s only previous world title challenge to date saw him controversially denied the unified super-lightweight championship against arch-rival Josh Taylor in Glasgow in 2022.
He later avenged that hugely contentious loss with no titles at stake and has also seen off the likes of respected former world champions Jorge Linares and Regis Prograis, though was edged out by Arnold Barboza Jr when competing for the interim WBO super-lightweight title in another huge setback to his world title ambitions.
Now up at welterweight, he has beaten both Harlem Eubank and Ekow Essuman, picking up a number of lower-level titles along the way.
He faces a real tough test though against Giyasov, an Olympic silver medallist and world champion as an amateur who is unbeaten at 17-0 as a professional and ranked at No1 by the WBA.
Anthony Joshua, Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin all at ringside
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:30 , George Flood
It is a who’s who of boxing royalty at ringside in Egypt, where Canelo Alvarez is sat next to Anthony Joshua.
Terence Crawford and Gennady Golovkin are among the other big names in attendance.
Joshua has been working plenty with former rival Usyk of late as he prepares for his comeback against Albania’s Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25, building up to that long-awaited super fight against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Canelo, meanwhile, earlier held a press conference in Cairo ahead of his battle with WBC super-middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in September.
AJ AND CANELO 🤩
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
Two of the best in the world are front row for Usyk vs Rico 💥
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | Live NOW on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/1vt7bn0ZYk
Catterall vs Giyasov up next
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:21 , George Flood
Sanchez says he is now ready for Usyk and waiting for the challenge.
Surely former opponent Kabayel deserves the first shot though, having been the WBC interim champion for more than a year now?
Usyk has indicated that he plans to fight twice more after tonight before retiring.
We’re halfway through the main card in Egypt, with the British interest about to ramp up significantly with back-to-back world title fights involving Jack Catterall and Hamzah Sheeraz.
First up, ‘El Gato’ Catterall meets undefeated Uzbek Shakhram Giyasov, the 17-0 2016 Olympic silver medallist and amateur world champion.
They are fighting for the WBA’s ‘regular’ welterweight crown and will have eyes on the full title after Rolly Romero was this week confusingly made a ‘super champion’ with no next fight yet lined up.
Torrez Jr stunned by first defeat as Sanchez eyes Usyk
Saturday 23 May 2026 20:00 , George Flood
Thankfully a bloodied Torrez Jr is now back on his feet and looks okay after that brutal low right hand that caught him flush.
A first professional loss for the southpaw, who drops to 14-1.
A major setback for a man who many have seen as the future of American heavyweight boxing.
As for Sanchez, he explodes back onto the scene after 15 months out of the ring with a highlight-reel knockout and catapults himself into the world title picture.
The defeat by Agit Kabayel suddenly feels like a long time ago.
Sanchez knocks out Torrez Jr in second round of IBF title eliminator
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:56 , George Flood
OH MY WORD!
An impressive start from Torrez Jr in an entertaining opening round, but he’s just been absolutely flattened in the second!
The inactive Sanchez shows no signs at all of ring rust as he unleashes a devastating right hand that leaves the Olympic silver medallist flat on his back in the middle of the ring.
He tries to get up, but quickly stumbles back and down and has no chance to continue as the referee waves it off.
Wow. ‘The Cuban Flash’ is now the mandatory challenger for Oleksandr Usyk’s IBF heavyweight title.
Hearn: Usyk upset looks impossible... but Rico is 'not a normal man'
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:53 , George Flood
We’re edging ever closer to tonight’s divisive main event, which will see Ricardo ‘Rico’ Verhoeven attempt to pull off one of the biggest upsets in sporting history against the great Oleksandr Usyk.
Promoter Eddie Hearn accepts that it looks like mission impossible for the kickboxing legend, but insists he is not a “normal man” and that such a gargantuan shock should not be ruled out.
"The fight on paper is an impossible mountain to climb for Rico Verhoeven," Hearn said this week.
"No, I'll rephrase that. For the normal man.
“But the reason he has accomplished what he's accomplished, and the reason he's done what he's done, is because he's not a normal man."
Sanchez vs Torrez Jr in final eliminator for Usyk's IBF heavyweight title
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:41 , George Flood
We pay our first visit of the night to the heavyweight division next in what should be a hard-hitting showdown between Cuba’s Frank Sanchez and America’s 2020 Olympic silver medallist Richard Torrez Jr.
This is a final eliminator for the IBF title currently held by Oleksandr Usyk, so the stakes are very high.
A highly-decorated amateur, Torrez Jr is unbeaten as a professional at 14-0 and stopped Tomas Salek in the first round of his last fight to retain the WBC-NABF and WBO-NABO titles in Mexico in November.
The 25-1 Sanchez, meanwhile, is still on the comeback trail following his knockout loss to Agit Kabayel in Riyadh two years ago, when he lost the WBC Continental Americas and WBO-NABO titles, having also gone to Mexico to stop Ramon Olivas Echeverria last February.
Hiruta wants title unification or Fundora showdown next
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:31 , George Flood
Hiruta tells DAZN in the ring after her latest impressive win that she is now targeting unification at super-flyweight.
That would mean looking at the likes of Jasmine Artiga, Adelaida Ruiz and Irma Garcia.
If those fights are not available, then she wants to face America’s undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora in a blockbuster bout.
Hiruta dominates Soliman to retain WBO super-flyweight title
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:26 , George Flood
How wide will the judges’ scorecards be in favour of Hiruta?
99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.
A dominant unanimous decision win for the Japanese star, who successfully defends her WBO super-flyweight world title for the seventh time at a canter.
She also retains her Ring belt and moves to 11-0.
No shortage of effort from ‘Egyptian Queen’ Soliman, who rallied in the eighth and ninth with those strong right hands, but the champion was just far too good for the rest of the night.
Hiruta vs Soliman
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:21 , George Flood
Hiruta was tagged by a couple of strong overhand rights in the eighth, including one that landed flush and shook her, and Soliman also gave a good account of herself in the ninth.
But the champion comes roaring back in the final round, providing a typically classy finish.
She has strolled to victory on points despite that brief rally from Soliman.
Hiruta vs Soliman
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:14 , George Flood
This is an absolute boxing clinic from the supremely-talented Hiruta at the moment, and certainly not for the first time.
She is rolling and gliding around the ring wonderfully, repeatedly demonstrating her superb punch variety, speed and footwork.
Soliman is trying her best, but the gulf in class is massive.
She is getting tagged by so many shots during these close-range exchanges.
Soliman has landed a couple of heavy right hands, but her moments of success have been far too fleeting.
Hiruta vs Soliman
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:04 , George Flood
There are some on social media labelling Hiruta as a female Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The hand speed, slickness, footwork and ring IQ is certainly reminiscent of Loma.
She is a real, real talent.
We’re already halfway through this title bout and she’s yet to really put a foot wrong.
5-0 in terms of rounds, easily.
Hiruta vs Soliman
Saturday 23 May 2026 19:00 , George Flood
Hiruta’s sheer speed and footwork is just far too much for Soliman to handle.
She glides around the ring effortlessly, slipping in and out of range so fast and scoring with those swift, eye-catching flurries.
Soliman is durable and determined, but has few answers for the champion at the moment as the rounds tick by.
Hiruta vs Soliman
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:55 , George Flood
A fast and furious start to Hiruta vs Soliman.
Hiruta’s hands are so fast, she’s putting together those rapid combinations so fluidly.
She already looks clear levels above her challenger, who is far slower as she lunges in and gets repeatedly peppered with a flurry of shots.
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:52 , George Flood
Another look at tonight’s stunning setting outside the Pyramids of Giza...
WHAT A SPECTACLE 🙌
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
Night falls upon the Pyramids of Giza ahead of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven ⭐
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/evFI0VG2tZ
Hiruta vs Soliman
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:49 , George Flood
On we go with the main card action in Egypt.
Japan’s 10-0 unbeaten world champion Mizuki Hiruta makes the seventh defence of her WBO super-flyweight title next.
She’s being challenged by 10-1 Egypt-born Australian contender Mai Soliman, who currently holds the IBF International and WBC Australasian belts.
Hiruta’s Ring title is also on the line here.
Usyk insists Verhoeven is 'dangerous' opponent
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:43 , George Flood
Despite most expecting him to coast to an easy victory tonight, Oleksandr Usyk insists that Rico Verhoeven is a “dangerous” opponent not to be taken lightly as he risks his glittering reputation and heavyweight belts.
“I'm not [thinking] relaxed and this is easy money. This is a fighter,” Usyk said on Friday.
Verhoeven, two inches taller, 25lbs heavier and two years younger than Usyk, is a record-breaking kickboxing legend who was the longest-reigning heavyweight champion in the history of international kickboxing promotion Glory.
He has spent 12 years at the top of the kickboxing rankings and also competed in K-1, It's Showtime and SUPERKOMBAT.
Verhoeven has had one mixed martial arts (MMA) fight against Viktor Bogutzki, which he won via a first-round stoppage in Romania in 2015.
His lone professional boxing contest to date was in Germany in April 2014, when he knocked out Janos Finfera - a former opponent of Hughie Fury - of Hungary in the second round.
To say this is a monumental step up tonight for the Dutchman against an all-time boxing great would be a colossal understatement.
Tani stuns Lapin with dominant fourth-round stoppage
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:27 , George Flood
An absolutely remarkable start to the main card in Egypt!
Tani has blitzed Lapin in a huge upset, putting him down three times en route to a blistering fourth-round stoppage.
He was ultra-aggressive from the outset, swarming Lapin at every opportunity and letting the big shots fly in bunches with brutal variety.
Lapin looked so uncomfortable on the defensive and could do nothing to stem the onslaught as the referee steps in.
Tani celebrates a stunning career-best victory to move him to 10-1 with some stylish backflips inside the ring before being presented with his new belts.
A first professional defeat for Lapin, who drops to 13-1.
Not a good opening to the night for Team Usyk...
Verhoeven promises to pose Usyk new challenge
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:21 , George Flood
You will struggle to find many people who believe that Rico Verhoeven has even the slightest chance of upsetting Oleksandr Usyk tonight and pulling off what would surely go down as one of the biggest-ever sporting shocks, let alone just in boxing.
It would arguably be even bigger than when 42-1 underdog Buster Douglas famously knocked out then-undisputed and unbeaten world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in 1990 in Tokyo.
"I'm bringing something that he hasn't seen before because he's only faced boxers. And they've been boxing their whole life. I haven't," Verhoeven said this week.
"So it's just a whole different approach. It's God's will. We'll see on Saturday. May the best man win.
"The first objective is to win. How we're going to win? We'll see. It it's a knockout, it's a knockout. If it's a decision, it's a decision. If it comes to a decision and I win? Wow."
Lapin vs Tani
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:17 , George Flood
At 6 foot 6 inches, Lapin is remarkably tall for a light-heavyweight and he is absolutely towering over Tani, who stands at around 6 foot.
It’s a bit of a cagey start and all a little ungainly from Lapin, before huge underdog Tani ups the tempo considerably in round two.
He’s very aggressive and front-footed, letting his hands go and asking questions of Lapin, who is under pressure and taking some solid shots.
He’s managing to catch him plenty on the way in, but Lapin isn’t enjoying being roughed up at the moment.
Undercard about to start
Saturday 23 May 2026 18:10 , George Flood
It’s time for the main card to get underway at the Pyramids of Giza.
As mentioned, Usyk’s long-time friend, training partner and fellow Ukrainian Daniel Lapin is up against France’s Benjamin Mendes Tani.
Lapin is undefeated at 13-0 and defending his WBA, WBO and IBF Inter-Continental light-heavyweight titles. Tani is 9-1.
Lapin, a towering figure at light-heavyweight, is a familiar fixture on stablemate Usyk’s undercards, having picked up the WBO belt and retained his WBA and IBF versions against Lewis Edmondson on the Usyk-Dubois 2 bill at Wembley last summer.
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:59 , George Flood
Those of you currently baking in the UK’s intensifying spring heatwave might be wondering how on earth there can be a fight card taking place outside in Egypt at this time of year.
It’s been around 32 degrees in Cairo today, only marginally hotter than in London.
The sun has now gone in however and it is worth remembering that Egypt are two hours ahead of the UK.
That means it will be around 1am local time when Usyk and Verhoeven are in the ring, so things will obviously be much, much cooler by then.
Usyk vs Rico prelim results
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:43 , George Flood
The early prelims have already finished in Egypt, with a couple of quick stoppages to bring things to a swifter than expected conclusion.
American Jamar Talley just lived up to his ‘No Mercy’ moniker with a dominant second-round stoppage of Egypt’s Basem Mamdouh.
That was after Saudi Arabia’s Sultan Almohammed had delivered a wincing first-round knockout of Indonesian fighter Dedy Imprax.
Egypt’s Mahmoud Mobark fought to a comfortable four-round decision win over Ali Sserunkuma of Uganda.
The night opened with another Egyptian fighter, Omar Hikal, stopping Tanzania’s Michael Kalyalya in the third round of a scheduled four-rounder.
We now await the start of the main card shortly, with Usyk’s training partner and fellow Ukrainian Daniel Lapin kicking us off against France’s Benjamin Mendes Tani, with the WBA, WBO and IBF Inter-Continental light-heavyweight titles on the line.
Pyramids of Giza provide stunning backdrop for Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:28 , George Flood
Whatever you think of tonight’s controversial main event, the backdrop for ‘Glory in Giza’ is absolutely and undeniably stunning.
Turki Alalshikh providing another glorious setting after last year’s ‘Fatal Fury’ card in Times Square, New York involving the likes of Ryan Garcia, Rolly Romero, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez.
What a set up here at the Pyramids of Giza for Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven 🌅
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN 🥊 pic.twitter.com/i1cwgU531t
Which belts are on the line in Usyk vs Rico?
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:18 , George Flood
The belt situation is certainly not straightforward for tonight’s main event in Egypt.
Usyk’s second win over Dubois last summer saw him embark upon an incredible third reign as an undisputed world champion, and second at heavyweight, retaining the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO and The Ring titles while also earning back the IBF strap.
He is no longer undisputed after vacating the WBO title in November following an order to defend it against interim champion Fabio Wardley, who was upgraded to full champion and then lost the belt to Dubois in an epic showdown in Manchester earlier this month.
However, Usyk remains the unified heavyweight champion with the WBA, WBC, IBF, IBO and The Ring titles still in his possession.
The WBC version is the only belt that Verhoeven is eligible to win tonight as they are the only one of boxing’s four major governing bodies to fully sanction this crossover fight.
The WBA and IBF, meanwhile, have both indicated that their titles will become vacant in the event that Usyk suffers an almighty upset.
Usyk keeps all of his belts if he wins of course.
The Ring title is also on the line, while the WBC have also created a special ‘King of the Nile’ belt for tonight’s victor.
Usyk weighs in at career-heaviest for Rico showdown
Saturday 23 May 2026 17:06 , George Flood
No doubt at least partially wary of Verhoeven’s size and power, Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at a career-heaviest 233.3lbs in Cairo yesterday.
That is a full six pounds heavier than for his second victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium last July, which was a one-sided beatdown that ended in a fifth-round knockout.
Verhoeven, by contrast, tipped the scales some 25lbs heavier than Usyk at 258.7lbs.
He was at 265lbs for his last kickboxing contest - a unanimous decision victory over Russia’s Artem Vakhitov at Glory 100 in Rotterdam last June.
Usyk vs Rico prediction
Saturday 23 May 2026 16:59 , George Flood
All signs point to a comfortable Usyk victory considering that Verhoeven’s last - and only - professional boxing fight came in 2014.
Certainly tough and battle-hardened thanks to his kickboxing background, cross-combat boxing bouts in recent years have all ended in favour of the career boxer.
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury both defeated Francis Ngannou in the last high-profile meetings of a heavyweight and a fighter from another discipline, albeit in very contrasting fashion.
After a run of six fights against some of the hardest hitters in the division - Joshua, Fury, and Dubois - Usyk has earned the right to call the shots when it comes to the final fights of his career. That being said, it is hard to view this contest as anything but one-sided.
Usyk has shown he still has considerable power by stopping Dubois for a second time last July, but the Ukrainian may take a risk-free approach to a lesser opponent.
Expect Usyk to totally control the bout and if the opportunity arises, stop Verhoeven.
Usyk to win by late stoppage.
Usyk vs Rico undercard in full
Saturday 23 May 2026 16:56 , George Flood
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic
Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov
Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr
Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman
Daniel Lapin vs Benjamin Mendes Tani
Basem Mamdouh vs Jamar Talley
Sultan Almohammed vs Dedy Imprax
Mahmoud Mobark vs Ali Sserunkuma
Omar Hikal vs Michael Kalyalya
Where to watch Usyk vs Rico
Saturday 23 May 2026 16:49 , George Flood
TV channel and live stream: Usyk vs Rico is being broadcast live around the world tonight on DAZN via their pay-per-view service at a cost of £24.99 ($59.99).
The fight is included in the subscription of DAZN’s Ultimate Tier customers, while it can also be packaged together in a PPV bundle with either Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall or Xander Zayas vs Jaron 'Boots' Ennis for a combined price of £44.99.
Usyk vs Rico live
Saturday 23 May 2026 16:46 , George Flood
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven.
In front of a stunning backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, boxing’s pound-for-pound No1 and unified world heavyweight champion will look to avoid falling victim to one of the biggest upsets in sporting history as he defends his WBC title against a kickboxing legend who has only ever boxed professionally once - and not for 12 years.
There is plenty of British interest on tonight’s undercard, with Hamzah Sheeraz hoping to become a world champion for the first time at the second attempt as he battles Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super-middleweight crown.
Jack ‘El Gato’ Catterall also competes for the WBA’s ‘regular’ welterweight belt against Shakhram Giyasov.
Stay tuned for live updates and results throughout the evening, with the action already underway.
