The highly anticipated clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven for the WBC heavyweight title is set to take place on May 23rd at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. Dubbed “Glory in Giza,” this event marks a historic moment as the first world title fight to be held at this ancient landmark. The fight, scheduled for 12 rounds with no weight limit, will be available for streaming on DAZN.
Betting Insights: Usyk vs. Verhoeven
Current betting odds heavily favor Oleksandr Usyk, with a price of 1/20 or -2000, suggesting an approximately 89-90% probability of victory. Rico Verhoeven is the underdog at 8/1 or +800, reflecting a 10-11% chance of winning, while a draw is priced around 28/1. The market has seen a shift towards the champion, as early lines indicated a slightly closer contest.
When considering the method of victory, Usyk is the strong favorite to win by knockout or TKO at 1/6 or -590. Verhoeven’s chances of securing a stoppage are considerably longer at 14/1 or +1400. For those who believe Usyk will win by decision, odds are around +500 in some markets. Round betting also suggests an earlier finish, with Usyk to win in the fifth round at +700, while a win in the final round for him is as high as +4000.
Oleksandr Usyk, with a formidable undefeated record of 24 wins and 15 knockouts, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the ring. The 39-year-old Ukrainian southpaw, a former Olympic gold medalist, achieved undisputed status in the cruiserweight division before moving up to heavyweight. He captured the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles from Anthony Joshua in 2021, successfully defended them, and then unified all four belts against Tyson Fury in successive bouts in 2024 and 2025. His most recent triumph was a fifth-round knockout victory over Daniel Dubois in July 2025.
Rico Verhoeven, a 37-year-old Dutch kickboxing superstar, is stepping into the boxing ring from a highly successful career. He boasts an impressive kickboxing record of 60 wins, 10 losses, and 20 knockouts. Standing at 6’5″ with a slight reach advantage, Verhoeven has dominated Glory Kickboxing as the heavyweight champion for a decade, with over a dozen title defenses and numerous other victories. He has also had a brief foray into mixed martial arts, defeating Viktor Bogutzki by stoppage in 2015. His professional boxing record is currently 1-0 with one knockout, from a debut bout in 2014.
Betting lines for Verhoeven range from +800 to +1360. A $10 bet at +800 would return $90 in profit, while a wager at +900 would yield $100 in profit. Higher odds, such as +1156, would provide a $115.60 profit on a $10 bet. These payouts reflect the implied probability of 7-11% for Verhoeven’s victory. Despite the significant gap in odds, there is public money flowing towards the underdog, indicating a potential for surprise bets. It is advisable for bettors to wager an amount that aligns with their financial capacity.
Verhoeven’s extensive reign as a heavyweight kickboxing champion, marked by numerous successful title defenses and tournament victories, showcases his resilience and dominance in his primary sport. However, Usyk’s superior boxing experience, exceptional footwork, and proven track record against elite boxers make Verhoeven a considerable long shot in this contest. While those looking for substantial payouts might be drawn to the +800 odds, the statistical evidence strongly suggests that Usyk is poised to retain his championship belt.
