Oleksandr Usyk Weighs Career-Heavy 233.3lbs Ahead of Rico Verhoeven Clash at the Pyramids

The numbers are in, the face-offs are done, and Saturday’s massive card at the Pyramids of Giza suddenly feels very real now.

Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven officially made weight ahead of their headline heavyweight clash in Egypt, with the unbeaten Ukrainian tipping the scales at a career-heaviest 233.3lbs. Even so, Verhoeven still came in a huge 25 pounds heavier at 258.7lbs.

That size difference has become one of the biggest talking points of fight week. Usyk has spent years making naturally bigger heavyweights look slow and clumsy, but Verhoeven is not just another heavyweight. He’s a giant elite-level kickboxer with real physical presence, and standing next to Usyk at the weigh-in only reinforced that.

Still, Usyk looked relaxed throughout the proceedings. Verhoeven looked confident too, but there was definitely more tension in his face during the staredown. Neither man backed away from it.

Main Event

Oleksandr Usyk (24-0-0) – 233.3 lbs
Rico Verhoeven (1-0-0) – 258.7 lbs

The crowd reaction during the face-off told the story. People are fascinated by this fight whether they admit it or not.

Usyk’s weight is particularly interesting because he has slowly added size over the years without losing the movement and sharp feet that make him so difficult to handle. Some believe this heavier version of Usyk could actually be a problem for Verhoeven rather than a disadvantage.

Verhoeven, meanwhile, looked absolutely enormous on the scales. Chiselled, composed and clearly taking the occasion seriously. The question now is whether that physicality can actually trouble one of the smartest heavyweight boxers of this era once the bell rings.

Co-Main / Key Fights

Jack Catterall (146.8) vs Shakhram Giyasov (145.7)

Catterall looked sharp and lean for his welterweight debut, while unbeaten Uzbek technician Giyasov appeared completely unfazed during the face-off. Quiet confidence from both men here. This has the feel of a really high-level boxing match hidden underneath the heavyweight spectacle.

Frank Sanchez (240.4) vs Richard Torrez Jr (229.5)

Sanchez came in the heavier man against unbeaten American pressure fighter Torrez Jr. There was not much drama at the scales, but stylistically this could still end up one of the most entertaining fights on the card.

Other Title Fights

Hamzah Sheeraz (167.9) vs Alem Begic (166.9)

Both men comfortably made weight for their vacant WBO World Super Middleweight title clash. Sheeraz looked calm and locked in during the face-off, while Begic carried himself with the confidence of a fighter arriving unbeaten and believing he belongs here.

Mizuki Hiruta (114.7) vs Mai Soliman (114)

Hiruta and Soliman both came in under the limit for the WBO World Super Flyweight title fight. Soliman received a loud reaction from the local support and looked determined during the staredown with the unbeaten Japanese champion.

Non-Title Undercard

Daniel Lapin weighed 173.8lbs for his fight against Benjamin Mendes Tani, who came in at 174.4lbs.

Basem Mamdouh (192.8) meets unbeaten American Jamar Talley (197.7) in cruiserweight action.

Sultan Almohammed (127.8) takes on Deny Impart (125.7).

Mahmoud Moubarek (138.9) faces Ali Sserunkuma (141.5).

Omar Hikal (161.1) meets Michael Kalyalya (160.2).

The whole event still feels slightly surreal. Heavyweight boxing beside the pyramids, a kickboxing icon challenging one of the greatest boxers of his generation, and a stacked undercard underneath it all.

But after the weigh-ins, one thing became obvious — nobody involved is treating this like a gimmick anymore.

Weigh-in Live Stream