The highly anticipated boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven is scheduled for May 23rd at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Billed as “Glory in Giza,” this bout marks a historic occasion as the first world title fight to be held at this ancient landmark, with broadcasts available on DAZN. The fight is set for 12 rounds in the heavyweight division, with no weight restrictions.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Odds Breakdown
Current betting odds heavily favor Oleksandr Usyk, listed at 1/20 (approximately -2000), suggesting an 89-90% probability of his victory. Rico Verhoeven is the underdog at 8/1 (around +800), with an implied win chance of 10-11%. The odds for a draw are around 28/1. While the initial lines were closer, with Usyk at 1/18 and Verhoeven at 10/1, the market has shifted further in favor of the reigning champion. Regarding the method of victory, Usyk by knockout or TKO is priced at 1/6 (-590), while Verhoeven by stoppage is available at 14/1 (+1400). Usyk winning by decision is offered at approximately +500 in some markets. Round betting suggests an earlier finish is more likely, with Usyk at +700 for a fifth-round win and odds as high as +4000 for a twelfth-round finish, illustrating the significant disparity between the favorite and the underdog.
Usyk boasts an undefeated professional record of 24 wins, with 15 knockouts. The 39-year-old Ukrainian southpaw, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, previously achieved undisputed status in the cruiserweight division before moving to heavyweight. He secured 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 2024 and 2025. His most recent victory was a fifth-round knockout over Daniel Dubois in July 2025 at Wembley.
Verhoeven, a 37-year-old from the Netherlands, transitions from a dominant career in kickboxing, where he holds a record of 60 wins (20 by knockout) and 10 losses. Standing at 6’5″ with a slight reach advantage, Verhoeven is an orthodox fighter. He has also had a brief foray into mixed martial arts, securing a knockout victory over Viktor Bogutzki in 2015. His professional boxing record stands at 1-0 with one knockout, from a debut bout in 2014. Verhoeven enters this boxing match after a decade of reigning as the heavyweight champion in Glory Kickboxing.
Betting lines for Verhoeven range from +800 to +1360 across different bookmakers. A $10 wager at +800 would yield a total return of $90, or a profit of $80. At +900, the same bet would result in a total of $100, with a $90 profit. Higher odds, such as +1156, would return $125.60 in total for a $10 bet, equating to a $115.60 profit. These payouts reflect the implied probability of 7-11% for Verhoeven’s win, indicating the risk involved. Despite the odds, a notable portion of public betting money is reportedly going towards Verhoeven. Bettors are advised to wager responsibly within their financial limits.
Rico Verhoeven has maintained a decade-long reign as the heavyweight kickboxing champion, successfully defending his title numerous times and accumulating many other victories. He has consistently emerged victorious from various tournaments, frequently claiming the championship title.
Usyk’s extensive experience with 23 more fights, superior footwork, and proven track record against elite boxers position him as the clear favorite, making Verhoeven a long shot. While betting on Verhoeven at odds of +800 offers significant payout potential, the statistical data strongly suggests that Usyk is expected to retain his championship belt.