Usyk and Verkhoven stepped on the scale ahead of their fight in Giza
Before the fight near the Pyramids of Giza, Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven went through the official weigh-in, where a noticeable difference in weight and height was recorded. The Ukrainian posted his best-ever measurements, while his opponent turned out to be heavier and taller. All of this served as the final prelude to the main event of the boxing evening. This was reported by DAZN Boxing.
At the foot of the Egyptian pyramids, the atmosphere before the Usyk–Verhoeven fight was as tense as it could be, yet at the same time calm, as if both athletes had long since made up their minds and were simply waiting for the final signal to enter the ring and put everything to the test. The weigh-in ceremony was not just a formality, but another element of the big show, where every number on the scale immediately becomes a topic for discussion and predictions.
Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at 105.8 kg, the heaviest he has ever been in his professional career, which immediately highlighted the Ukrainian’s serious physical preparation for his unusual opponent from kickboxing. For comparison, Usyk’s previous record was lower, which only adds to the intrigue ahead of the fight, where he is stepping into the ring for the first time in a long while following a hiatus and his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Rico Verhoeven, in turn, approached the weigh-in slightly “lighter” than his usual form, weighing in at 117.3 kg, which still leaves him significantly heavier and slightly taller than the Ukrainian champion, giving him a physical advantage on paper—though this guarantees nothing in an actual fight.
A separate highlight was the traditional stare-down, which lasted over a minute and effectively concluded all pre-fight formalities, leaving only the anticipation of the opening bell and the true test of strength. The organizers officially confirmed that the bout is sanctioned by the WBC as a voluntary defense of the world heavyweight title, and the winner will receive a specially created belt for this “Battle in Giza,” which only adds to the symbolism of the evening taking place in one of the most unique locations in the world.
For Usyk, this fight will be his 25th in a professional career without a loss (24-0, 15 KOs), while Verhoeven enters the bout with minimal boxing experience, having only one official professional fight (1-0, 1 KO), though in kickboxing his name has long been synonymous with dominance in the heavyweight division. Eight more bouts are also scheduled for the evening’s undercard, among which the performance of Ukrainian Daniel Lapin draws particular attention; he will defend several light heavyweight titles at once, having also passed the weigh-in without issue alongside his opponent Benjamin Mendez Tani.
The fight will be broadcast in Ukraine by Kyivstar TV as part of its sports packages, while for an international audience, the event will be streamed by DAZN on a pay-per-view basis, making it a global event accessible to fans worldwide.
Ultimately, the weigh-in only confirmed the main point—Usyk and Verhoeven enter the fight with different physical attributes and varying levels of boxing experience, but it is the ring near the pyramids that will determine whether status and technique can outweigh the opponent’s strength and size.
Oleksandr Usyk is set to face Rico Verhoeven—one of the most dangerous strikers in modern kickboxing, who has been crushing opponents for years and has racked up a string of very convincing and sometimes brutal victories.
Prior to this, Usyk and Verhoeven held a joint pre-fight press conference and another stare-down, where they openly expressed respect for one another but also their readiness for a brutal battle. Both athletes emphasized that despite their different disciplines, they are united by a love of combat and competition.
The fight is expected to be broadcast in Ukraine on the Kyivstar TV platform, and the bout itself is already being called one of the most intriguing matchups between representatives of different fighting styles in recent years.
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