Monday, 25 May 2026
Usyk–Verhoeven fight showcases Egypt’s global event ambitions
Egypt’s staging of a high‑profile boxing bout between Ukrainian world champion Oleksandr Usyk and Dutch fighter Rico Verhoeven at the Giza Pyramids has underscored the country’s push to position the ancient site as a premium destination for global, big‑ticket events.
The fight, held early Sunday as part of the “Glory in Giza” series, saw Usyk stop the former kickboxing champion by technical knockout in the 11th round, after an unexpectedly competitive showing from Verhoeven.
The event reflects a renewed drive to transform the Giza Plateau into a hub for live entertainment, from major sports to concerts, as Egypt targets 30 million tourists a year over the next decade. Orascom Pyramids Entertainment — owned by billionaire Naguib Sawiris — is leading efforts to upgrade the visitor experience after years of complaints about infrastructure and poor organization.
“The pyramids are the most valuable backdrop in the world,” said Amr Gazzarin, the company’s CEO. “Any artist, athlete or politician dreams of appearing in front of this extraordinary scene.”
The pyramids have hosted global performers since the 1970s — including Frank Sinatra, the Grateful Dead and, more recently, the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2019 — but Egypt is ramping up efforts to attract more big names as it prepares to open the long‑delayed Grand Egyptian Museum nearby.
A 30‑million‑dollar improvement program has introduced regular transport services and tightened enforcement against unlicensed touts, part of a broader push to improve visitor experience. The largest events zone managed by Orascom holds around 15,000 people and was used for a major electronic music performance by DJ Anima in October.
Egypt welcomed around 19 million tourists last year, a record that underscored the resilience of the sector despite regional tensions. Still, the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran has disrupted some events: a concert by Colombian star Shakira was postponed from April to November, and six corporate and official dinners were cancelled.
Orascom Pyramids expects to generate 150 million Egyptian pounds (2.8 million dollars) in event‑related revenue this year, nearly 20% higher than 2023, though slightly below earlier forecasts because of the conflict’s impact.
Saudi Arabia — now a dominant player in hosting major boxing bouts as part of its entertainment expansion — took part in organizing the Usyk–Verhoeven fight through Sela, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund, highlighting growing regional competition.
Other Gulf cities are also expanding entertainment infrastructure, including plans to build a version of Las Vegas’s iconic Sphere in Abu Dhabi.
Usyk, 39, further cemented his status as one of the era’s elite heavyweights, adding to recent victories over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. Verhoeven, 37, entered as the underdog but held on until the 11th round, when the referee stepped in after a barrage of punches.
“We’re at the pyramids, ladies and gentlemen… tonight we all made history,” Verhoeven said as the crowd roared.