Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Fight Prediction & Picks: Who Will Achieve Glory in Giza?

The boxing world is no stranger to unique events, interesting matchups, and memorable moments. But today's Glory in Giza event profiles as one of the most unique events in recent boxing history, both for its location and the Usyk vs. Rico headliner that will close out the night.

The main event and the rest of the fight card will take place in an open-air ring on the site of the Giza necropolis, popularly known as the Pyramids of Giza and home to the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

As far as iconic settings are concerned, you can't get much more iconic than that.

Such a setting warrants a memorable main event matchup, and the showdown between undefeated heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven certainly ranks as that.

Usyk's WBC belt will be on the line against Verhoeven, who will be looking to pull a seismic stunner in just his second professional boxing bout and his first since 2014.

Given the mismatch in experience, it is no surprise that Usyk comes in as a massive favorite at Lucky Rebel and other top online sportsbooks. Will he back up those odds and maintain his hold on all three of his title belts? You can watch the full Usyk vs. Rico pay-per-view on DAZN, the home of the biggest bouts in boxing.

Usyk vs. Rico Fight Information

• Matchup: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven
• Location (Venue): Pyramids of Giza
• Approximate Ringwalk Time: 5:48 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription or pay-per-view purchase

Usyk vs. Rico Odds

Odds are from Lucky Rebel.

Usyk vs. Rico Probabilities

Implied and true probabilities are listed. True (no-vig) probabilities are in parentheses.

Usyk vs. Rico Prediction and Analysis

For those who casually follow or bet on boxing, Verhoeven may be an unfamiliar name. In this discipline, he has only one fight, an April 2014 matchup with Janos Finfera that was scheduled to go four rounds but ended via a Verhoeven knockout at 1:40 of the second round.

But as a kickboxer, the Dutchman is a legend. Before vacating the title and leaving the promotion in November of last year, Verhoeven had held the Glory heavyweight title since October 2013. In that discipline, he owns a 66-10 career record, with 21 knockouts.

So, he certainly knows what to do with his hands in the ring. He also owns a weight advantage over Usyk, weighing in at 258.7 pounds for this fight to Usyk's 233.3.

All that said, the Usyk vs. Rico main event is a complete mismatch in every sense of the word. These kinds of matchups, while exciting, are infrequently genuinely competitive bouts. Do not expect an exception here.

Usyk vs. Rico Picks

Under 5.5 Rounds (-105 at Lucky Rebel)

Do not expect the challenger to mount a significant challenge, and do not expect a long fight. Verhoeven may be one of the best to ever do it as a kickboxer, but he will prove to be no match for Usyk in this ring.