BOXING: Usyk title clash at Pyramids proves there are no limits, says kickboxer Verhoeven

CAIRO – Rico Verhoeven says his leap from kickboxing to taking on Oleksandr Usyk for the world heavyweight boxing title, set against the iconic Pyramids of Giza, proves that there are no longer any boundaries in martial sports.

Ukrainian Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight belt against the Dutchman on Saturday in what will be his first fight as undisputed world champion since defeating Britain’s Daniel Dubois in London last July.

“(This) showcases that there are no limits to what is possible – whether within fighting, across different sports, or even in choosing unique locations,” Verhoeven, 37, told Reuters in an interview Wednesday.

“This is the craziest location, or at least one of the craziest locations, you can have an event. The impact is amazing. It’s such a historic place, and it brings so much history with it.”

Verhoeven spent 12 years as the undisputed heavyweight kickboxing champion but has had only one professional boxing bout, which he won by knockout 12 years ago. The Dutchman, who appeared at Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference wearing a T-shirt of Egypt’s top soccer club, Al Ahly, announced his exit from kickboxing last November after 76 fights and 66 wins.

Usyk, who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBC titles after vacating the WBO belt, agreed that fighting at the UNESCO World Heritage Site was a “great idea.”

“This is important, not only for me but for all boxing, all people, and Egypt,” he told Reuters. “It’s the first time we’re here. I think, after this fight, many will look and say, ‘Oh, it’s possible – maybe organize a fight in Egypt by the Pyramids, or maybe in Paris.’”

The WBC will award a specially themed belt to the winner of Saturday’s fight, President Mauricio Sulaiman told Reuters.

“This is a very unique, special belt that we call the King of the Nile Belt. It is a special trophy for the winner of the fight,” he added.

-Reporting by Sayed Sheashaa and Dina Sakr; Writing by Mohamed Yossry in Cairo; Editing by Sonali Paul/Reuters