Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven undercard announced including two world title fights and heavyweight eliminator

Oleksandr Usyk’s crossover clash with Rico Verhoeven has been met with a mixed response, but there will be no such qualms with the undercard.

Usyk is set to defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing legend Verhoeven on May 23 in the shadows of Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza.

The Ring Magazine event will feature seven undercard fights, which were announced on Friday by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.

In the chief support slot, Hamzah Sheeraz will face Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super middleweight title – one of the four belts Terence Crawford relinquished in retirement.

Sheeraz (22-0-1) rebounded from a controversial draw with Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title in February 2025 to blow away Edgar Berlanga in five rounds last July.

He was also ordered to face Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title, but chose to go down the WBO route with Begic instead.

Begic (29-0-1) is an unknown quantity from Germany.

The 39-year-old is yet to fight anyone of note in his career, but is nonetheless undefeated.

MORE TO FOLLOW…