Usyk arrived at the press conference with Verhoeven in an embroidered suit and held an impromptu face-off

WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven have arrived at a press conference in Giza, where they have already held an improvised face-off, UNN reports. 

Details 

The press conference between Usyk and Verhoeven began at 21:00 Kyiv time. 

Before it started, the athletes met face-to-face and held an improvised face-off. 

"Without unnecessary pauses: arrival at the location and an immediate face-off," Usyk wrote on Telegram. 

Notably, Usyk arrived at the press conference in a suit by the Ukrainian manufacturer DAMIRLI. 

"This look is not about the suit. It is about the code of Ukrainian identity, strength, and spiritual support. The white color is a symbol of purity of intent, light, and inner strength. It embodies not aggression, but the confidence of a person who knows who they are and what they stand for. The golden ornament reimagines Ukrainian sacred aesthetics and traditional embroidery as a language of symbols. At the center of the composition is the trident, not just a state symbol, but a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the historical continuity of generations. The ornaments, which seem to grow along the silhouette, resemble roots—a connection to the land, culture, and the people who form the strength of the nation. They do not look static: they move like energy that continues to live and evolve," the manufacturers stated. 

The designers also shared that the elongated architectural lines and cloak-like construction create the feeling of modern Cossack armor—not combat armor, but protection built on values, faith, and character.

"Open hands symbolize not closedness or detachment, but readiness—for struggle, for responsibility, for dialogue. This is the image of a person who steps out not only as a champion in the ring but as a representative of the country. A person who carries Ukraine with them. Strength is not only what you can show. True strength is what you represent," DAMIRLI added. 

Reminder 

On Sunday, May 17, Oleksandr Usyk and his team arrived in Egypt, where the fight against Rico Verhoeven will take place on May 23. 

On Tuesday, May 19, Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven held a face-off against the backdrop of the pyramids in Egypt. 

WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will hold his next fight against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in May. The fight will take place in Egypt.

WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven held their first face-off and conducted a press conference ahead of the fight, which is scheduled to take place in May in Egypt.