Final Usyk vs. Verhoeven Predictions, Updated Odds & Best Bets

• Oleksandr Usyk defends the WBC heavyweight title against former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven
• Usyk is closing as a 20-1 favorite, the largest of his heavyweight career
• Get our expert Usyk and Verhoeven predictions and odds for the Pyramids of Giza fight card

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After definitively proving himself as the best heavyweight boxer in the world, Oleksandr Usyk (24-0) is letting worlds collide by letting the ‘King of Kickboxing,’ Rico Verhoeven (1-0), into his realm. Usyk’s WBC world belt will be on the line to make the bout an official heavyweight title fight.

Check out the Usyk vs. Verhoeven prediction, updated odds, full fight card and where to watch below.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Prediction

• Oleksandr Usyk to win in Rounds 1-6 (-105 at Fanatics)

Three years ago, Tyson Fury took a detour from his plans to unify the heavyweight belts with Usyk by facing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in what was supposed to be a one-sided affair. He was instead knocked down in the third round and needed to escape with a split decision to remain undefeated. Fury won the fight, but lost all of his momentum in the process.

Usyk, who was watching that fight ring-side, will not make the same mistake in a similar matchup with Verhoeven, the former GLORY Kickboxing heavyweight champion.

Like many great kickboxers throughout the sport’s history, Verhoeven became one of the greatest strikers of all time by using his kicks to set up his punches. That will obviously not be in play here. Without his kicks, Verhoeven is a very subpar boxer, and the openings will be there for Usyk’s taking from the opening bell.

He thrives in the trenches…TBT to when Rico Verhoeven won 3️⃣ fights in 1️⃣ night 🤯

Rico aims to take Oleksandr Usyk to deep waters when they battle this Saturday on @DAZN. pic.twitter.com/FKv2Dki8oX

— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) May 21, 2026

Although Usyk is not known for early stoppage wins, there is at least a small sense of pressure for him to get the job done before the fight reaches its midway point. It might take him a few rounds, but Usyk is an elite finisher once he smells blood in the water and will catch Verhoeven overextending himself before the sixth round ends.

While Verhoeven showed off a decent chin in GLORY, taking a punch square on the jaw from Usyk will be like nothing he has ever felt before.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven Odds

Odds as of May 22, 2026, on Fanatics Sportsbook. Grab a Fanatics promo code or check out the best boxing betting apps for 2026.

The oddsmakers are unsurprisingly wholeheartedly siding with Usyk and expect the champion to make quick work of his 25th professional opponent. Usyk is a massive -2200 favorite on Fanatics Sportsbook, a 95 percent implied win probability. Verhoeven is coming back at +925, with a nine percent implied win probability.

The books also strongly indicate a Usyk knockout, despite the champion having just three stoppage wins in his eight heavyweight bouts. Usyk is -500 to win by knockout, with Verhoeven lined at +1600 to shock the world and win by knockout.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven Tale of the Tape

Usyk and Verhoeven are similar in stature, with the ex-kickboxer owning a two-inch reach advantage, but the lineal heavyweight champion gaining one inch in reach. Only two years separate them in age.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven

Usyk brings a 63 percent knockout rate to the table, though just 38 percent at heavyweight. He has not lost a fight since 2009 in his 53rd amateur bout.

There is not much to break down in Verhoeven’s boxing record. The Dutchman’s lone previous boxing fight came in 2014 when he stopped Janos Finfera by second-round knockout.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight card

Usyk and Verhoeven will be the last of four title fights on the ‘Glory in Giza’ fight card. WBO female flyweight champion Mizuki Hiruta is the only other fighter beginning the night with a championship belt, with two vacant title fights leading into the main event.

• (C) Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven, for the WBC heavyweight title
• Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic, for the vacant WBO super middleweight title
• Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov, for the vacant WBA regular welterweight title
• Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr., heavyweight
• (C) Mizuki Hiruta vs. Mai Soliman, for the WBO female super flyweight title
• Basem Mamdouh vs. Jamar Talley, cruiserweight
• Mahmoud Mobark vs. Michael Kalyalya, middleweight
• Omar Hikal vs. Ali Sserunkuma, welterweight

Usyk vs. Verhoeven Start Time & Where to Watch

The ‘Glory in Giza’ prelims will begin at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT on Saturday, May 23. The prelims will be available to watch on the Ring Magazine YouTube and social media accounts. The main card is set to follow at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT and will stream on DAZN.

Main event ring walk times were not released, but they can be expected around 5:45 p.m. ET / 2:45 p.m. PT.