Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven LIVE: Start time, fight updates and undercard results tonight

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is just minutes away. Don’t go anywhere.

Verhoeven this week paid tribute to his recently-deceased mother, by recreating photos that she took at the pyramids of Giza 30 years ago.

“I lost my mother earlier this year, and especially these last years it was hard for her to be at the events,” the Dutchman told The Ring after sharing his – and his mother’s – photos on Instagram.

“So, a lot of times she was just watching on TV. And I know now she is with me everywhere, everywhere I go, so that’s a really nice and comfortable feeling. Yeah, I feel blessed to have her as my guardian angel right now.

“I was really thankful that I got the time to [recreate those photos], to experience that and really be in that moment and create that – like, that same picture that she made, like around 30 years ago.”

We spoke to Verhoeven’s former training partner – and almost-opponent – Alistair Overeem about tonight’s main event.

Here’s what the kickboxing icon turned UFC heavyweight contender said about the “X factors” that Verhoeven brings:

“There are, obviously, heavyweights who deserve a fight with Usyk, but the Ukraine idol has been on a relentless journey through the division with six consecutive wins in two title fights each against Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

“If any heavyweight in history deserves a break, an easy voluntary, it is Usyk.

“And it is Saudi money making the Usyk vs Verhoeven fight, which is being dubbed “Glory at Giza”, a reality.”

“Under a moon, under the stars, and with the pyramids glowing in their neon splendour, Rico Verhoeven will attempt the impossible in the middle of the magical tonight.

Full preview from Steve Bunce:

Still, the unified champion cannot afford to be complacent against Verhoeven, 37, who is one of the greatest strikers that combat sports has ever seen.

With that, Sheeraz stays unbeaten, hands Begic his first loss, and collects the vacant WBO super-middleweight belt!

Nice lead uppercut by Sheeraz. Begic is starting to fire now, though. He lets go with a combination on a shelled-up Sheeraz.

Oh! But Sheeraz replies with a harddd left hook, which stumbles Begic…

Four extra left hooks now – four in a row! Sheeraz then varies his offence, but he keeps going back to the left hook.

Begic is wobbly… The ref is taking a look… Sheeraz is bullying the German veteran.

Another hard left hook, jeez. The sound on that. Now a left hook to the body, and down goes Begic!

He can’t beat the count, it’s over. Thank goodness.

Both men stand orthodox. Sheeraz has a fairly clear height advantage.

Sheeraz is immediately active, flicking out jabs, doubling them up, adding crosses.

Begic is keeping a high guard as he’s backed to the ropes. Sheeraz now curves a right hook around that guard, before splitting it with a jab.

Begic is occasionally stepping forward quite pointedly, but not throwing. Mean body shot by Sheeraz.