Usyk is training intensively in preparation for his fight against Rico Verhoeven
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk has officially confirmed that his preparations for his upcoming bout against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhuven are proceeding without any letup.
The athlete emphasized that he takes every opponent seriously, noting that his training volume is only increasing compared to previous training camps.
The bout between the Ukrainian champion and the kickboxing star is scheduled for May 23, 2026.
Egypt has been chosen as the venue for this historic event, where the fight will take place against the backdrop of the majestic pyramids of Giza under the auspices of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
According to the boxer, the main challenge during the training process is fighting his own desire to rest, which requires iron discipline.
“We’re training seriously; there’s no letting up. For example, we used to run 10 km, and now 5 km—no, we used to run 10 km, and now 11 km,” Oleksandr Usyk shared.
Despite the grueling schedule, the boxer allows himself days of active recovery, which are also part of his professional strategy.
“Training is in full swing; the only thing is, today I just went for a walk. But that’s also good for the heart, for the legs, and for the workouts from the day before yesterday. Because who are we to skip a leg day?” he noted in a comment for “Suspilne Sport.”
This bout will be the Ukrainian’s first since his triumphant second victory over Daniel Dubois in July 2025.
At that time, Usyk once again confirmed his status as the undisputed world champion, although he later voluntarily relinquished the WBO belt, leaving the title vacant.
As a reminder, Usyk became the first vice president of FC Polissya and announced reforms.
Also, Oleksandr Khyzhniak made his professional boxing debut with a knockout victory.
