Overview
- Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
- Usyk says he intends to fight three more times, targeting the Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois winner after Verhoeven and finishing with Tyson Fury, while ruling out Moses Itauma.
- Dmitry Bivol and IBF mandatory Michael Eifert have reached a deal that canceled a scheduled purse bid, with plans reported to stage their light-heavyweight title fight on the May 23 card.
- Bivol’s return follows back surgery and a layoff since February 2025, while Eifert has held IBF mandatory status since 2023 after multiple step-aside agreements.
- WBC interim titlist Agit Kabayel has pressed for his ordered shot and criticized Usyk’s plan, and broadcast and full undercard details are still being finalized despite reports pointing to Netflix carriage.