The WBA has given Oleksandr Usyk the green light to defend his 'Super' heavyweight title against Rico Verhoeven on 23 May at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The unified champion secured the right to face the former Glory kickboxing world champion under specific conditions that limit Verhoeven's stake in the belt.

Under the agreement, Usyk's victory will officially count as a successful title defense, though Verhoeven cannot claim the championship since he isn't ranked by the WBA. The sanctioning body made clear that a loss by Usyk would trigger a review of his championship status by the WBA committee, potentially stripping him of the belt.

Meanwhile, questions remain about whether Usyk will also defend his IBF title in the bout. The WBC has already confirmed the title will be on the line, creating uncertainty around the full unification picture. BBC Sport has reached out to the IBF for clarification on their stance regarding the Ukrainian's third title.

This arrangement allows Usyk to maintain his undisputed status while facing a credible opponent in Verhoeven, whose kickboxing background presents a unique challenge in the boxing ring.