The highly anticipated boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven is scheduled for May 23rd at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. This historic bout, dubbed “Glory in Giza,” will be the first world title fight held at this ancient wonder and will be available for streaming on DAZN. The fight is set for 12 rounds with no weight limit, as is customary in the heavyweight division.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Odds Analysis
Current betting lines heavily favor Oleksandr Usyk, with odds of 1/20 (-2000), indicating an approximately 89-90% implied chance of victory. Rico Verhoeven is considered the underdog at 8/1 (+800), suggesting a 10-11% probability of winning. The odds for a draw are around 28/1. These lines have shifted slightly, with initial odds showing Usyk at 1/18 and Verhoeven at 10/1, indicating a stronger market consensus towards the champion as the event approaches.
When considering the method of victory, Usyk is strongly favored to win by knockout or TKO at 1/6 (-590). Verhoeven winning by stoppage is a long shot at 14/1 (+1400). Some markets offer Usyk winning on points at approximately +500. Round betting suggests a belief in an earlier finish for Usyk, with odds around +700 for a fifth-round knockout and extending to +4000 for a victory in the twelfth round. These figures highlight the significant difference in perceived capabilities between the favorite and the underdog.
Oleksandr Usyk, a Ukrainian southpaw, boasts an undefeated professional record of 24-0, with 15 wins by knockout. Now 39 years old, Usyk has a decorated amateur career, including an Olympic gold medal in 2012. He transitioned to heavyweight after becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Usyk captured the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles from Anthony Joshua in 2021, successfully defended them, and then unified all four belts against Tyson Fury in fights spanning 2024 and 2025. His most recent victory was a fifth-round knockout against Daniel Dubois in July 2025.
Rico Verhoeven, a 37-year-old fighter from the Netherlands, makes the transition from a highly successful kickboxing career. He holds a professional kickboxing record of 60-10 with 20 knockouts. Standing at 6’5″ with a slight reach advantage, Verhoeven is an orthodox fighter. He has previously experimented with mixed martial arts, securing a win against Viktor Bogutzki in 2015. His professional boxing record stands at 1-0, with one knockout from his debut in 2014. Verhoeven has been the dominant heavyweight champion in Glory Kickboxing for a decade.
Betting on Verhoeven offers substantial payout potential, with odds ranging from +800 to +1360 across different bookmakers. A $10 bet at +800 would yield a total return of $90 ($80 profit), while at +900, the same bet would return $100 ($90 profit). Higher odds, such as +1156, could result in a total payout of $125.60 ($115.60 profit) on a $10 wager. These payouts reflect the underdog status, with an implied probability of 7-11%. Despite the considerable gap in perceived ability, public betting has shown some support for Verhoeven.
Rico Verhoeven’s decade-long dominance in heavyweight kickboxing, marked by numerous title defenses and tournament victories, showcases his prowess in combat sports. He has consistently emerged victorious in high-stakes competitions.
However, Usyk’s significant experience advantage, superior footwork, and proven track record against elite boxers make Verhoeven a considerable long shot. While betting on Verhoeven at odds of +800 or higher offers attractive payout potential, the statistical evidence strongly suggests that Usyk is the likely victor and will retain his championship title.