Turki Alalshikh Unveils ‘Glory in Giza’ Card as PPV Price Draws Reaction

Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven headlines May 23 event, with fans responding to $59.99 price

Turki Alalshikh has presented the “Glory in Giza” lineup for May 23, headlined by Oleksandr Usyk against Rico Verhoeven. The announced $59.99 pay-per-view price in the U.S. has prompted mixed reactions from fans online.

The event, headlined by unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk against kickboxing crossover Rico Verhoeven, is being sold as a global landmark. Yet, the reaction from the fans suggests the “spectacle” is starting to wear thin. The primary point of contention isn’t the location or the gold-plated armor, but rather the perceived lack of a competitive heartbeat at the top of the bill.

The $60 Question

DAZN has set the barrier for entry at $59.99 in the U.S. and Canada, with a £24.99 ask in the UK. For a card featuring Usyk, that might usually pass without much noise. However, Verhoeven is the variable. Despite his legendary status in GLORY Kickboxing, he is effectively a novice in a professional boxing ring. Fans are vocalizing a familiar frustration: they are being asked to pay championship prices for what looks like an exhibition in disguise.

Under the Pyramid: Substance vs. Names

There is no denying the depth of the roster, but depth rarely sells a pay-per-view on its own. The mid-tier of the card features some of the most talented names in the sport, yet they are finding themselves caught in the crossfire of the main event criticism.

• Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Alem Begic: Sheeraz is the heavy-handed future of the super middleweight division. He’s looking to grab the vacant WBO world title here, but at 39, Begic is seen by many as a safe choice for a showcase rather than a threat.
• Jack Catterall vs. Shakhram Giyasov: This is the purist’s pick. It is a technical, dangerous encounter between two men who have been on the wrong side of boxing politics for too long. If the event was priced for the “hardcore” fan, this would be the selling point.
• Frank Sanchez vs. Richard Torrez Jr.: A crossroads heavyweight eliminator that actually matters for the rankings. Torrez Jr. is the young, aggressive Olympian stepping up against the seasoned Cuban technician.

A Collision of Narratives

Alalshikh’s promotion has been built on a foundation of “History in the Making.” The visuals are grand, the setting is unmatched, and the ambition is undeniable. But as the early fan reaction proves, the boxing public is becoming increasingly resistant to paying top dollar for fights that prioritize optics over outcome.

The undercard has the talent to deliver a great night of boxing. Whether that talent can overcome the skepticism surrounding a heavyweight main event that feels like a foregone conclusion remains the biggest hurdle for Giza.

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