Right then, fight fans, Alem Begic is making the slow walk to the ring with 'Run This Town' playing in the background.

Oleksandr Usyk weighed in at a career-heaviest 16st 9lb (106kg) - seven pounds heavier than for his stoppage win over Daniel Dubois last summer.

But he will still give up 25lb to Rico Verhoeven - who weighed in at 18st 7lb (117kg).

Two heavy lads means for some heavy hitting.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist

Hamzah Sheeraz has had doubters throughout his rise.

There was criticism after his 2021 win over Bradley Skeete when he punched Skeete while he was on the canvas before eventually getting the stoppage.

Then came the controversial draw against Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title in February 2025 - a result many felt was generous to Sheeraz.

But the fifth-round stoppage win over Edgar Berlanga five months later showed his quality at an elite level.

Another big win tonight pushes Sheeraz even closer to the dream showdown with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and a shot at genuine superstar status.

I think we're safe to say the likes of Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois and Moses Itauma will be watching tonight in the hope of facing Oleksandr Usyk for his belts in the future.

Fury and Dubois have both been beaten by the Ukrainian twice but Itauma would pose a new challenge.

Top ranked WBC contender Agit Kabayel, who was passed over in favour of Rico Verhoeven for this fight, will also be watching closely, hoping to get his shot at Usyk next.

Image source, Getty Images

Alem Begic's last four fights have all been in Austria and now the 39-year-old fights outside of Europe for the first time in his bid to become world champion.

He's undefeated across his 29 fights, with one draw, but it's fair to say his level of opponent hasn't been the highest.

But now, he is potentially one punch away from beating Hamzah Sheeraz and becoming world champion.

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Williams
Heavyweight speaking to BBC Sport

Outside of the ring, I had a few quotes from him; he was talking about how the top professionals are always conditioned. 'Don't get tired' he would shout that in English to me. That was very cool.

After a spar, I sat down beside him and he gave me a little bit of wisdom. I'd say that I'm quite good at a certain thing and he seemed to be better at it. He would show me the reason why and how he did it. He started showing me how to do it, the angles, and how to tire down the opponent. It was really good knowledge.

We started talking about [Muhammad] Ali, I knew that was his favourite fighter. We talked about which fighter he found his best and we looked at old footage. It was really cool to also talk about how pressure is handled.

Known as the King of Kickboxing, Rico Verhoeven's kickboxing record varies depending on who you ask.

What we do know is he has more than 55 wins and just 10 losses, making his pro debut in 2005.

He was undefeated as Glory heavyweight champion for 11 years, with 13 successful defences, but is far from a prolific knockout artist in kickboxing.

Verhoeven has picked up 28 wins under the Glory banner with 10 of those coming via knockout, while five of his past six bouts went the distance.

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist

Ask almost anyone other than Rico Verhoeven and his team - plus a rogue prediction from Derek Chisora, who may well be on the wind-up - and the answer is a pretty emphatic no.

Verhoeven is banking on confidence and unpredictability causing problems for Oleksandr Usyk.

But even trainer Peter Fury has been cautious when discussing his fighter’s chances. The general vibe has been intrigue rather than belief - curiosity over how the Dutchman fares against one of the best fighters of this generation.

If Verhoeven lasts longer than expected and maybe lands a few meaningful shots, his stock rises and more boxing opportunities could follow.

Oleksandr Usyk is the WBA (Super), IBF and WBC heavyweight world champion, but not all the belts will be on the line against Verhoeven.

Rico Verhoeven can only win the WBC belt, while the WBA and IBF titles will become vacant if Usyk loses.

This is because Verhoeven is not ranked with any sanctioning body and it was highly unusual for the WBC to allow the Dutchman to fight for their belt.

Their fellow sanctioning bodies did not quite go as far, but will not be taking any action against Usyk for tackling the Verhoeven fight.

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist

Hamzah Sheeraz might just be the coolest British fighter around right now.

The stylish outfits, laid-back personality and mellow temperament make him stand out away from the ring - but inside it, he has developed into one of Britain’s most improved fighters.

When Sheeraz signed with Queensberry Promotions in 2017, he was viewed as a promising ticket seller with limited amateur pedigree. Few could have predicted he would reach this level less than a decade later.

For Hamzah Sheeraz in the co-main event up next, this is his second attempt at a world title after his draw with Carlos Adames in February 2025.

After brutally knocking out Edgar Berlanga in July, Sheeraz is back and this time he's the overwhelming favourite to leave Egypt with the gold.

Jack Catterall speaking to DAZN after victory: "I am the happiest man in the world!

"I just want to give a lot of credit to Shakhram [Giyasov]. He has had personal stuff going on. What a fighter and what a man, he has been respectful all week.

"I knew what he was about, I have been watching his fights so I was not going to be denied.

"He is a strong guy and a good fighter. Sometimes I just get into the matrix, taking them and getting into the puzzle. I felt comfortable in there tonight."

Image source, Matchroom

Image source, Lewis Williams

You cannot get many more trustworthy opinions on a fighter than someone who has boxed with them before, and that is exactly the case for British heavyweight Lewis Williams.

The 27-year-old, who was a gold medallist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, was invited to Oleksandr Usyk's training camp in Spain as a sparring partner in preparation for tonight's fight.

What did Williams have to say on Usyk? Williams has agreed to tell us all (within reason). All coming at you soon.

• Usyk the mentor
• What is it like to spar Usyk?
• Verhoeven's chances against Usyk

We expect Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven to fight at about 23:10, with their ringwalks not expected before 22:50.

We're in for a late night!

Huge celebrations for Jack Catterall as he takes a wide points win over Shakhram Giyasov.

He is now next in line for Rolly Romero's WBA welterweight world title and will either face the American or be elevated to world champion.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Catterall raises his hands as the bell rings at the end of round 12.

The Chorley fighter will have to wait for the scorecards but knocked down Shakhram Giyasov once while putting on a dominant display.

He could be edging closer to that elusive world title.

I'm sure you've all heard by now that Oleksandr Usyk is helping to train Anthony Joshua and the former world champ will be in Egypt to support his mate.

We'll be on AJ watch throughout the night to see what he's getting up to.

Image source, Matchroom

Here's what's coming your way and what's already been, right in front of the pyramids.

• Oleksandr Usyk (c) v Rico Verhoeven - WBC heavyweight title
• Hamzah Sheeraz v Alem Begic - WBO super-middleweight title
• Jack Catterall v Shakhram Giyasov - welterweight
• Frank Sanchez beats Richard Torrez Jr by KO - heavyweight
• Mizuki Hiruta (c) beats Mai Soliman by unanimous decision - WBO super-flyweight title

Image source, Getty Images

Japan's Mizuki Hiruta was in action on the undercard, stealing hearts and minds as she retained her WBO super-flyweight world title.

She surged past Egyptian-born Australian Mai Soliman over ten rounds, with the scorecards reading 99-91, 98-92 and 98-92.

Hiruta stays unbeaten with her tenth win and the 30-year-old called out undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora.

"I want a unification [fight], and I want to be a superstar," Hiruta said. "I will keep this belt forever."

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport boxing journalist

Jack Catterall is facing dangerous Uzbek contender Shakhram Giyasov for the WBA 'regular' welterweight title right now.

It would be a statement win for Catterall, though he would not be recognised as the division’s true world champion. That belongs to Rolando Romero, the current WBA 'super' champion.

The good news for Catterall is that Romero must face the winner within six months - meaning the Chorley fighter could finally be edging closer to that world-title opportunity he has been chasing.

We're into round 10 of 12, by the way. Currently, Catterall is running away with it.