OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN: TIPS FOR PYRAMIDS CARD INC. CATTERALL, SHEERAZ & MORE
The pyramids of Giza provide the backdrop for a unique night of boxing action, headlined by a compelling crossover clash between unified heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk and kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven.
Usyk’s WBC belt is available to be won should Verhoeven cause one of the biggest shocks in sporting history – but neither the IBF nor the WBA strap will go to the Dutchman if he triumphs, with the IBF confirming it will consider the heavyweight throne vacant and the WBA simply declaring it would ‘review his status and determine the next course of action’.
While the main event offers a fascinating spectacle the card at large is stacked with genuine, high-stakes boxing for the purists too.
British fighters Jack Catterall and Hamzah Sheeraz are in action, while a pivotal heavyweight eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr adds further depth to a quality night of fights.
Here’s our best bets for the action across the card in Egypt…
Usyk vs Verhoeven Main Event: All You Need to Know
- Fight date: Sat 23rd May
- Expected ring walk: 22:00 BST approx
- Venue: Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Titles/weight: WBC heavyweight world championship
- How to watch: DAZN
- Records (W-L-D, KOs): Usyk 24-0, 15 KOs / Verhoeven 1-0, 1 KO
- Fight market: Click here
TIP 1 – OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN OVER 5.5 ROUNDS @ 19/20
The unified champion is a master of ring geometry and should be perfectly content to orchestrate the action from behind his metronomic jab, using his sublime footwork to control the range and dismantle the larger man piece by piece as he has to much more accomplished boxers at cruiserweight and heavyweight.
While the 6ft 5in Verhoeven brings immense durability from his kickboxing career, the chinks in his boxing armour will inevitably be exposed over the distance by a patient predator like Usyk.
It’s fair to expect a chess match rather than a firefight in the opening stanzas.
Given Usyk’s methodical approach and Verhoeven’s proven toughness a feeling-out process is almost guaranteed – think Floyd Mayweather sussing out Conor McGregor before the inevitable schooling.
Odds of just under Evens for the bout to last more than five-and-a-half rounds look particularly attractive as a result.
TIP 2 – JACK CATTERALL TO WIN BY DECISION @ 4/6
This WBA welterweight eliminator between Jack Catterall (32-2, 14 KOs) and Shakhram Giyasov (17-0, 10 KOs) stands out on the card as a premier tactical battle.
A year into his move up to 147lbs the slick, cerebral British southpaw possesses the ideal counter-punching toolkit to defuse a formidable pressure fighter like Giyasov.
Expect Catterall’s elite footwork and superior lateral movement to control the canvas, repeatedly timing the advancing Uzbek standout.
Because both men are incredibly durable, world-class operators, a sudden stoppage is unlikely.
Instead the percentage play is that Catterall navigates the full 12 rounds safely, making a comprehensive points victory for the technical master the logical selection.
TIP 3 – RICHARD TORREZ JR TO WIN BY KO, TKO OR DQ @ 4/5
An IBF title eliminator, the defensive purity of Cuban Frank Sanchez (25-1, 18 KOs) faces a formidable test against the explosive power of Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr (14-0, 12 KOs).
Torrez has been a wrecking ball in the professional ranks but Sanchez possesses the footwork and amateur pedigree to frustrate him – for a while anyway.
The American’s ferocious southpaw pressure should find a way to suffocate Sanchez at some stage and, over the championship distance, that heavy-handedness is sure to take its toll.
If Sanchez’s slick movement starts to fade, backing Torrez to force a stoppage rates a good bet at a little under even money.
TIP 4 – HAMZAH SHEERAZ TO WIN IN ROUNDS 7-12 @ 21/10
Hamzah Sheeraz (22-0-1, 18 KOs) aims for global superstardom as he meets the vastly experienced Alem Begic (29-0-1, 23 KOs) for the vacant WBO super-middleweight world title.
Stepping up to 168lbs, the British star boasts considerable punching power but, with the outright market holding little appeal, the round group betting represents the value angle.
Begic is an incredibly tough, undefeated veteran who possesses the ring intelligence required to survive an early onslaught.
However, Sheeraz’s elite shot selection, body assault, and relentless pressure are highly likely to break the German-Bosnian fighter down as the bout enters deep water.
Expect a clinical stoppage to land in the second half of the contest, making this price an attractive one.
Fancy all three of our fight night selections to land? You can combine them into a 16/1 Bet Builder by clicking here
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation