The headlines may be focusing on an unexpected crossover main event, but beneath the surface, this card is shaping up to be anything but a sideshow.
Oleksandr Usyk’s clash with Rico Verhoeven has divided opinion since it was first announced. A boxing kingpin taking on a kickboxing legend under the shadow of the Pyramids of Giza on May 23 was always going to spark debate.
But if there were any doubts about the depth of the event — they’ve been firmly put to bed. Because the undercard? That’s stacked.
Announced by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh, via TalkSPORT, the seven-fight lineup adds serious credibility to a night that suddenly feels far bigger than just the main event. And leading the charge is a second world title fight with major implications.
Britain’s Hamzah Sheeraz steps into the chief support slot, taking on Germany’s Alem Begic for the vacant WBO super middleweight title — one of the belts left behind following Terence Crawford’s retirement. For Sheeraz, it’s a chance to reset the narrative after a rollercoaster stretch.
The unbeaten contender (22-0-1) bounced back from a controversial draw with Carlos Adames in February 2025 by stopping Edgar Berlanga in five rounds last July — a statement performance that re-established his momentum. Originally lined up to face Christian Mbilli for the WBC title, Sheeraz instead opted for the WBO route.
Standing opposite him is Begic (29-0-1), a 39-year-old unbeaten but largely untested fighter described as an unknown quantity. It’s a clash of momentum versus mystery — and one that could reshape the division overnight.
Sheeraz isn’t the only British name carrying expectation on the night, as Jack Catterall also features prominently, stepping into a WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title fight against Uzbekistan’s Shakhram Giyasov.
Catterall (32-2) arrives in form, having delivered one of his most complete performances to date when he stopped Ekow Essuman in the 11th round in November — his first outing under new trainer Derek ‘Bozy’ Ennis. Now, he faces Giyasov (17-0), a long-standing mandatory challenger who has been waiting for his shot. With Rolly Romero currently holding the full WBA title, this fight could have major implications for the wider picture at welterweight.
But arguably the most intriguing bout sits slightly lower down the card.
Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr has been rescheduled as an IBF heavyweight final eliminator — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Originally set to take place just last weekend, the fight was postponed after Sanchez picked up an injury in training. Now reinserted into this blockbuster lineup, it carries enormous weight. The winner becomes the IBF mandatory challenger for Usyk himself — meaning whoever emerges victorious could be next in line to challenge for the unified WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles.
In a division where every move matters, that’s about as significant as it gets.
Elsewhere, there’s another world title fight adding depth to the card.
Mizuki Hiruta (10-0) returns to defend her WBO super flyweight title for the seventh consecutive time, taking on Mai Soliman (10-1). It’s a fight that continues Hiruta’s dominant run and adds further championship pedigree to the event.
Rounding out the lineup, local interest is firmly represented, as Egyptian fighters Bassem Mamdouh, Mahmoud Mobark, and Omar Hikal all feature, giving the home crowd fighters to rally behind on a night set against one of the most iconic backdrops in sport.
The full card now includes:
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC heavyweight title fight
Hamzah Sheeraz vs Alem Begic – WBO super middleweight title fight
Jack Catterall vs Shakhram Giyasov – WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title fight
Frank Sanchez vs Richard Torrez Jr – IBF heavyweight final eliminator
Mizuki Hiruta vs Mai Soliman – WBO super flyweight title fight
Bassem Mamdouh vs James Talley
Mahmoud Mobark vs Michael Kalyalya
Omar Hikal vs Ali Sserunkuma
While the main event continues to split opinion, there is no doubt that this main event – along with this undercard – will over-deliver on the night. Titles on the line, contenders emerging, and a heavyweight future potentially being decided, all under the lights of the Pyramids.
Featured image credit: Instagram/RingMagazine/DAZN
