Big-time boxing returns this weekend in a unique location as Oleksandr Usyk is set to take on Rico Verhoeven at the historic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) is Verhoeven’s second opponent as he faces the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion for the WBC crown, live on DAZN.
To many, Usyk is the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, having become undisputed at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
He has dominated since his first heavyweight fight back in 2019 when he stopped Chazz Witherspoon.
‘The Cat’ picked up his first world titles in the flagship division when he dethroned Anthony Joshua over 12 rounds at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He beat ‘AJ’ once again 11 months on from his first victory and picked up a split decision points win.
Usyk fought 12 months later and took on now two-time heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois, who he stopped in the ninth round in what was possibly his most controversial win, with Dubois putting Usyk down in the fifth with a low blow.
Possibly the Ukrainian’s most notable victories came against Tyson Fury, who was unbeaten prior to facing the 39-year-old.
He scored two points victories over ‘The Gypsy King’ and became the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
After a second win over Dubois last May, he now looks to remain unbeaten against kickboxing legend Verhoeven (1-0, 1 KO).
The Dutchman’s sole boxing fight came back in 2014, when he defeated Janos Finfera with a second-round knockout. Finfera had an uninspiring record of 0-5 at the time.
Since his boxing bout, however, ‘The King of Kickboxing’ has made his name in his traditional discipline, picking up his first Glory Kickboxing title in 2015 with a second-round stoppage over Errol Zimmerman.
Verhoeven has been a kickboxing world champion a remarkable 15 times and held the Glory heavyweight crown for an unprecedented 12-year reign.
The WBC title is on the line for both men, but only Usyk can retain his WBA crown, while his IBF belt is not at stake.
Prediction: Usyk should have more than enough to stop Verhoeven; expect a stoppage in the mid-to-late stages of the contest.
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic
Hamzah Sheeraz looks to become a world champion for the very first time in his career after falling short in February last year.
He took on Carlos Adames in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as he looked to become WBC world champion, but was held to a draw by the Dominican.
Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) returned five months later against Edgar Berlanga, who had just one loss prior to the contest and had never been stopped.
The 26-year-old changed that with a brutal showing, dropping ‘The Chosen One’ twice before stopping him in the fifth round.
Sheeraz takes on 39-year-old Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs), who is also unbeaten.
In his last fight, the German stopped Mahdi Safdari in the second round and hasn’t fought in 13 months.
Prediction: Sheeraz should dominate and stop Begic en route to his first world title.
Catterall clashes with Giyasov
Jack Catterall looks to claim the WBO Regular crown at welterweight as he takes on unbeaten Shakhram Giyasov.
Catterall (32-2, 14 KOs) impressed last time out against Ekow Essuman, who he stopped in the penultimate round of their contest.
Prediction: Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs) stopped Franco Maximiliano Ocampo in the fourth round back in April last year, but will likely fall short against Catterall, who should win on the scorecards.
Sanchez faces Torrez Jr
Frank Sanchez should prove to be the toughest test of Richard Torrez Jr’s professional career on Saturday.
Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) has just one loss, which came to WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel back in 2024.
Prediction: Torrez Jr (14-0, 12 KOs) has an impressive 86% stoppage ratio across his 14 fights, and it would be a real statement if he could stop the Cuban, although he may be held to a points victory.
Remaining Undercard
Egyptian super flyweight hope, Mai Soliman (10-1, 6 KOs) can claim her first world title with a points win over Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta (10-0, 2 KOs).
Unbeaten Sultan Almohammed (3-0, 2 KOs) should score his third stoppage victory over Dedy Impart (2-4, 1 KO) at lightweight.
Basem Mamdouh (10-2, 4 KOs) will likely be stopped by American prospect Jamar Talley (6-0, 5 KOs) at cruiserweight.
Omar Hikal and Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya make their professional debuts on the undercard and should both win over the distance.
