Behind-the-scenes footage of iconic pyramid backdrop for Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven sets boxing community abuzz
Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven are scheduled to star in a much-awaited boxing event in Giza, Egypt.
The much-awaited boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven has piqued fan interest across the combat sports realm -- be it in the boxing, kickboxing, and even in the MMA community. Another intriguing layer to this fight between boxing legend Usyk and kickboxing great Verhoeven is its venue.
One of the most notable boxing promoters involved with this matchup, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, had consistently suggested that the event would be truly memorable. And many fans concurred with the Saudi Arabian entrepreneur, given that it was booked to be the maiden boxing event to be held at the iconic Pyramids of Giza, i.e., the Giza Necropolis in Giza, Egypt, on May 23, 2026.
Well, footage of the iconic pyramid backdrop, as seen in a couple of behind-the-scenes videos posted by Ring Magazine, seemingly has fans in awe of the combat sports spectacle.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven-- fans in awe of the Glory in Giza boxing event's venue
The professional boxing event headlined by Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven has been promoted as 'Glory in Giza.' The official X handle of the Ring Magazine, "@ringmagazine" on X, has put forth some behind-the-scenes footage of the incredible setup for the grand event. With the iconic pyramids in the background -- coupled with the sheer magnitude of this combat sports clash of titans -- fight fans soon chimed in with their reactions to the same.
Multiple fans seemed to be in awe of the grand arrangements near the Pyramids of Giza. One X user wrote, "The setup's wild, but that Egyptian backdrop? Unreal." Another fan appeared to laud the organizers for crafting the professional boxing setup in such an unconventional venue, "This ring setup is cleaner than most arenas. Respect to the organizers."
Similarly, a few netizens deemed it amazing, while another alluded to how incredibly conceptualized the entire setup is.
What a set up here at the Pyramids of Giza for Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven š
ā Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN š„ pic.twitter.com/i1cwgU531t
Check out a few fan reactions to the aforementioned X post below:
The fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven marks another addition to crossover combat sports matches
Oleksandr Usyk last competed in July 2025, knocking out Daniel Dubois in their rematch to become boxing's undisputed heavyweight champion for the second time. "The Cat" didn't compete inside the squared circle since, and many fans were caught by surprise when it was announced that Usyk's long-awaited comeback fight would be against kickboxing mainstay Rico Verhoeven.
As for Verhoeven, he's had a long and storied career in kickboxing and is considered an all-time great in that sport. Besides, he's fought once each in boxing and MMA. Furthermore, after defending his Glory Kickboxing heavyweight title against Artem Vakhitov in June 2025, he vacated the title and eventually signed up to face Usyk.
Per ESPN, the Usyk vs. Verhoeven boxing match has the former's WBC heavyweight title on the line. Also, if Usyk loses, then his WBA and IBF heavyweight titles would be deemed vacant. Also, the winner of their fight would be awarded the Ring Magazine heavyweight title.
Their matchup marks yet another notable crossover fight between fighters of different combat sports. Previous examples include the MMA bout between Randy Couture and boxer James Toney, as well as the boxing bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and UFC icon Conor McGregor, to name a few.
From the Pyramids to the ring ā¼ļø š„
ā Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 23, 2026
An iconic backdrop for a historic clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven š„
Glory in Giza | May 23rd | LIVE on DAZN š„ pic.twitter.com/P8iADFzw51
