Historic Weigh-in for Oleksandr Usyk Ahead of Match at the Pyramids
In an unprecedented turn of events, the reigning world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has recorded an impressive weigh-in at 233.3 pounds, marking the heaviest of his professional career. This notable achievement comes right before his highly anticipated bout against former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, scheduled to take place at the iconic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday.
Despite his impressive weigh-in, Usyk will notably enter the ring at a lighter weight compared to Verhoeven, who tipped the scales at 258.7 pounds during the morning weigh-in. This difference in weight is expected to play a crucial role in the dynamics of the fight, especially considering Usyk’s impressive track record and skill set.
In his previous fights, Usyk weighed in at 227 pounds for the match against Britain’s Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July 2024, and a slightly lighter 226 pounds when he faced off against Tyson Fury in December 2024. Currently, Usyk holds the distinguished WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, while Dubois himself has claimed the WBO champion status.
For Verhoeven, who is set to challenge Usyk, the stakes are high, as he only has the opportunity to capture the WBC title during this fight. Should Usyk lose, it is reported that the other sanctioning bodies will consider vacating their titles, adding extra pressure on Usyk to maintain his unbeaten record.
This matchup has generated considerable buzz in the boxing world, with many experts labeling it as a significant mismatch. Verhoeven, at 37 years old, has a minimal experience in professional boxing, having only participated in one bout over a decade ago before embarking on an 11-year unbeaten streak in kickboxing. In contrast, Usyk, a decorated Olympic champion, boasts an unblemished professional record of 24 wins.
