Usyk vs Verhoeven is taking place at one of the most unusual and striking venues in modern boxing… right in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

The event, billed as “Glory in Giza,” brings a WBC heavyweight title fight into a setting that feels more like a global spectacle than a traditional arena. Instead of the usual stadium, the fighters are stepping out under the lights of one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, turning the fight into a full-scale sporting showcase as much as a championship bout.

Speaking to DAZN, Bellew said: “Usyk is in his prime right now. No one can touch him. He’s in unbelievable shape; he’s a consummate professional.

“We’re not talking about a guy who’s up and down in weight between fights or partying wildly between camps – this man lives a disciplined lifestyle. He’s the perfect professional.

“But don’t get me wrong: every dog has its day, and every fighter has a sell‑by date. We all have our time. Do not overstay your welcome, because it will bite you on the backside.”

A common question that keeps coming up around Usyk is whether he actually has a clear weakness, or whether his style is simply too complete for most heavyweights to solve. Across most of his career, he’s been difficult to break down – he controls distance well, rarely stays in the wrong exchanges for long, and tends to adjust as fights go deeper.

The one area that is most often mentioned is body work. Opponents have occasionally tried to slow him down with sustained pressure downstairs, believing that the body is the only realistic way to disrupt his movement and rhythm over 12 rounds. In spells of fights, body shots have been landed cleanly on Usyk, and there’s a perception that heavier, consistent work in that area is the closest thing to a blueprint for troubling him.

That discussion was brought into sharper focus in his fight with Daniel Dubois in 2023, which featured major controversy around a body shot in the middle rounds. Dubois appeared to land a shot that dropped Usyk to the canvas, but it was ruled a low blow by the referee, leading to a long break in the action and significant debate afterwards about whether it should have been handled differently.

Usyk recovered and went on to stop Dubois later in the fight, but the moment has remained one of the most talked-about talking points of his heavyweight run, especially whenever the conversation turns back to body shots as a potential weakness.

Usyk has made it clear in recent interviews that he doesn’t plan to go on forever in boxing, despite still being at the very top of the heavyweight division. The idea he’s floated is simple: a short run of a few more big fights, then stepping away from the sport while still at or near his peak.

The number that’s been mentioned is three. Not a long farewell tour, but a final stretch focused on meaningful opponents and major nights rather than padding out a record. It fits the way Usyk has approached his career so far.

It’s believed Usyk is targeting names such as Verhoeven, the winner of the Wardley vs Dubois matchup (which ultimately went to Dubois), and a potential third fight with Tyson Fury all discussed in various circles.

There has also been ongoing speculation around other big-name heavyweights, including Deontay Wilder, Agit Kabayel and so on as part of what would be a final run of high-profile fights before retirement.

Rico Verhoeven has been the dominant force in heavyweight kickboxing for over a decade, building a long reign at the top of GLORY’s heavyweight division since first capturing the title in 2014.

He established himself early with a mix of discipline, cardio, and composure that set him apart in a division usually defined by early finishes. Instead of relying purely on knockout power, Verhoeven built his success on control, volume, and the ability to stay consistent over five-round championship fights, which became the foundation of his long title run.

Over the years, he has defended his belt against a range of top contenders and former champions, including high-profile fights with Badr Hari, which drew massive global attention and went across a trilogy, as well as tough defences against heavy hitters like Jamal Ben Saddik and more recent challengers in GLORY’s heavyweight division.

In his more recent fights, Verhoeven has continued to extend his reign, staying active at the top of the sport and fending off the next generation of contenders while remaining the benchmark for heavyweight kickboxing. His run has made him one of the longest-reigning champions in modern combat sports, with consistency and durability defining his career as much as his results.

Tony Bellew, speaking on DAZN, said: “Verhoeven is going to come with a style that Usyk has never seen before. At times he’ll be square on, and at times he’ll switch stances – things that will unsettle Usyk. But ultimately, Usyk will find his footing.

“Let’s be honest here: there is no real pressure on Verhoeven, none whatsoever. He’s expected to come here, be dazzled, and be taken apart. He doesn’t believe that. Peter Fury, his trainer, doesn’t believe that. That belief is the one thing he has to hold on to.

“Peter Fury is a boxing man; he knows the sport, and the fact that he’s taking part in this and backing Rico all the way speaks volumes.”