He has since dropped the WBO belt that now belongs to Dubois, but remains in possession of the WBA, WBC and IBF titles. The WBC gold is the only one that Verhoeven is eligible to win, though Usyk will vacate the other two versions if he is on the end of potentially an even bigger shock than when Buster Douglas stunned Mike Tyson in 1990.

A Section 35 dispersal order is in effect within the Briton Ferry Docks area this weekend as police anticipate criminal activity during the warm weather. There will be an increased police presence in and around the area.

Any individuals attending or travelling to the area with the intention of participating in anti-social behaviour, disorder, or other unlawful activity will be asked to leave. Those who fail to comply with such directions may be subject to arrest.

The Section 35 will be in effect until 3pm on Sunday May 24.

ergeant Molly Llewellyn said: “With the forthcoming bank holiday weekend and the associated warm weather forecast, it is recognised that many individuals will wish to socialise and enjoy this period. However, it is essential that all such activities take place in a safe and lawful manner.

“Unlicensed music events, commonly referred to as “raves”, present significant risks not only to those in attendance but also to the wider community. These risks include – but are not limited to – increased levels of anti-social behaviour, public disorder, violence, drug and alcohol misuse, and the presence of unsafe environments.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to attend such gatherings. Additionally, anyone with information relating to these activities is encouraged to report it to the police.”

The Red Cross has paid tribute to three volunteers who died after contracting Ebola while handling bodies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, was declared an emergency of international concern by the World Health Organisation on Sunday.

Nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths have been recorded in Congo, with five in neighboring Uganda.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stated the volunteers likely contracted the virus on 27 March during dead body management activities for a humanitarian mission unrelated to Ebola. At the time, the outbreak had not yet been identified.

Ajiko Chandiru Viviane, Sezabo Katanabo, and Alikana Udumusi Augustin, who volunteered in the Mongbwalu branch in Ituri province in the northeast of the country, died on 5, 15 and 16 May respectively, the IFRC said. They are among the first known victims of the latest outbreak.

Bodies of Ebola victims are highly infectious after death. Unsafe burials, where family members handle remains without proper protective equipment, are a leading driver of transmission, which IFRC teams work to prevent on the ground.

“These volunteers lost their lives while serving their communities with courage and humanity,” the IFRC said.

IFRC volunteers are also going door-to-door to combat misinformation about Ebola in the area at the centre of the outbreak in the Congo.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — It looked like progressive Chris Rabb had a mountain to climb to win the Democratic nomination for a congressional district in Philadelphia.

The mayor and the city’s Democratic Party had endorsed another candidate in this week’s primary. So had members of Pennsylvania’s delegation in the U.S. House. One Rabb rival was backed by millions of dollars. A second benefited from a get-out-the-vote operation run by the influential local building trades unions.

But Rabb finished 15 percentage points ahead of his closest competitor in Tuesday’s election, and the state representative is likely on his way to Washington because no Republican sought the GOP nomination.

Rabb was propelled by a constellation of progressive groups, charting a path to victory partly by assailing his own party as listening more to donors than voters. He credited a grassroots movement inspired by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, alarmed by Republican President Donald Trump and hungry for a government responsive to their needs.

“That was at the heart of why I was running and that is what I built my campaign around and that, I believe, is a chord we struck in this electorate that showed up and came out like gangbusters,” Rabb said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The progressive left counts Rabb’s success as one of its biggest victories of the year and the latest warning sign that Democratic voters see the party’s leadership as weak and feckless in countering Trump. Progressives are also running for House seats in New York, California and Michigan where they are challenging Democratic incumbents or aiming to take on vulnerable Republicans.

Rabb, 55, is a self-described Democratic socialist and “proud troublemaker” who reliably supported the most progressive causes in the state House during his five terms. His backers said voters sent an important signal this week.

“They want someone who knows what they stand for and is ready to fight, whether it’s fighting Donald Trump now or fighting an economy and political system rigged for billionaires in years ahead,” said Adam Green, a co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

Progressives are finding their footing in midterms

Traction by progressives in midterm races has stoked concerns from moderates that far-left candidates will alienate middle-of-the-road voters and squander a politically advantageous year to unseat Republicans, retake control of Congress and block Trump’s agenda during his last two years in office.

Mike Mikus, a Pittsburgh-based Democratic strategist, said progressives could be a problem down the road for the Democratic Party, but not this year.

“Regardless of who we nominate, gas prices are still too high, grocery prices are too high and people generally think the economy is not in a good place,” Mikus said. “And voters will vote for change.”

Perhaps Rabb’s biggest supporter was the Working Families Party, which says the Democratic and Republican establishments have sold out to powerful interests. The organization has backed several members in Congress, and Analilia Mejía became the newest addition after winning a special election in New Jersey on April 16.

Rabb does not know what he might be able to expect in Washington. “Will we have a razor-thin majority? Will we be in a razor-thin minority?”

He sees Congress as a place where most are not willing to take bold steps because of money in politics. In his victory speech, Rabb showed the fire that his progressive backers say helped win over voters.

“I have been critiqued along this campaign for being too radical, too bold,” Rabb told the crowd. “They ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Rabb’s positions on many issues raised during the campaign were not dramatically different from his rivals’, such as supporting Trump’s impeachment, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, imposing a moratorium on data centers or championing “Medicare for All.”

He was distinct in stressing his support for government-run grocery stores — to wipe out “food deserts” — and an expansive minimum wage law that eliminates a lower tipped minimum wage and covers independent contractors such as gig workers.

Perhaps most notably, Rabb was a strident critic of establishment politics, including his own party’s.

He said people are sick of insider politicians and big-donor politics. That leads to lackluster voter turnout, even while Trump is president and there is strong antipathy against “MAGA extremism and corporate greed,” he said, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.

“We can learn lessons from this victory because, if establishment politics was as effective and productive as people would have us think, then I would have been blown out of the water,” Rabb said.

Campaign spending and surrogates

Sharif Street, a state senator and former state party chair, finished second on Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker campaigned for him and building trades unions kicked in more than $600,000.

Dr. Ala Stanford was third, getting support from the retiring incumbent, Dwight Evans, and $3.5 million in spending by 314 Action, a left-leaning political action committee aimed at electing scientists to Congress.

The state’s most prominent Democrat, Gov. Josh Shapiro, did not endorse a candidate. He did call after the election to congratulate Rabb.

Rabb was boosted by at least $1.8 million in spending help by allied progressive groups, according to federal campaign disclosures. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., campaigned for him four days before the primary date.

Backers celebrated his triumph over the city party’s “machine.”

“The fact that Chris was able to win in machine territory is significant and should send a shock wave to the Democratic establishment that base voters are upset and want transformational change,” said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, which was founded by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

While progressive groups are making deeper inroads into Philadelphia, some Democrats pointed out that Rabb captured just 45% of the vote, meaning that perhaps a candidate with unified establishment backing could have prevailed. Others suggested Rabb was helped by a low-turnout election in which fewer than one-third of registered Democrats voted.

“Momentum, the vibes, how people feel about a candidate are going to make a difference,” said Mustafa Rashed, a Democratic political consultant in Philadelphia.

Rabb said he almost didn’t see the race to its conclusion and considered quitting after reporting his campaign treasurer for stealing money.

He felt such a sense of betrayal, combined with the stress of being outspent by his rivals, that he worried it would derail his candidacy.

“There was a lot of internal talk about what is the path forward for me,” Rabb said. “I had to dig down and just reaffirm that I’m walking in my purpose and this is exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, irrespective of the adversities.”

___

Follow Marc Levy at http://twitter.com/timelywriter

Rounds

There is nothing unusual with regards to the rules for this fight. The contest will be contested over 12 three-minute rounds – something Usyk is very much used to. The 39-year-old has gone the distance nine times in his career – and will no doubt have the edge should the fight head into the later rounds. Verhoeven, on the other hand, may struggle. Throughout his career as a kickboxer, the 37-year-old was used to fighting five three-minute rounds. Those extra 21 minutes could be a cause for concern for Team Verhoeven on fight night.

Gloves

Similar to the rounds, there are no differences regarding the gloves ahead of this professional, sanctioned heavyweight bout. Both men are set to wear 10 oz gloves – as is the standard for heavyweight fights. Both men are used to wear 10 oz mitts, therefore, there should be no issues come fight night.

Belts

Of all of Usyk’s three titles – the WBC, WBA and IBF belts – on the line on fight night, Verhoeven can only win the WBC gold strap. The boxing organisation granted the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion a voluntary title defence Verhoeven, however, he must take part in a WBC mandatory defence next – or will be stripped of the title.

Soon after, the WBA permitted Usyk to defend the title, but states Verhoeven cannot win it if he pulls off a monumental upset. Now, the IBF have had their say. In a statement released last week, it read: “On April 16, 2026, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) received a letter from John Hornewer on behalf of IBF/WBA/WBC Unified Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk requesting that the IBF permit Usyk to participate in an unsanctioned contest against Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, in Giza, Egypt.

“Pursuant to IBF Rule 5.H., ‘An unsanctioned contest is a fight which the IBF has not formally approved for sanction or where sanction has been formally withdrawn. If a Champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit, the title will be declared vacant whether the Champion wins or loses the bout.’

“The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned the Usyk vs. Verhoeven bout and indicated that it will enforce its mandatory bout next. Based on the rotation system, the World Boxing Association (WBA) mandatory bout would follow the WBC mandatory. Accordingly, the IBF determined that there are no affected boxers, as the IBF acknowledges the rotation system among the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO.

“On April 29, 2026, the IBF Board of Directors convened by video conference and determined that Usyk’s exception request should be granted, subject to the following conditions: If Usyk loses, the IBF Heavyweight title will be declared vacant immediately. If Usyk wins, the IBF will acknowledge the WBC’s position in the rotation and order the IBF mandatory bout for 180 days thereafter. If the WBA grants a special permit, the IBF will acknowledge the WBA’s position in the rotation and order the IBF mandatory bout for 180 days thereafter.”

The 39-year-old, therefore, will be ordered to defend his IBF strap 180 days after his WBC mandatory defence or 180 days after a WBA mandatory defence. As of right now, the specific scenarios remain up in the air and will become clearer after next weekend’s dust-up. Agit Kabayel – who has long called for a showdown with Usyk – is the WBC’s mandatory challenger, while Murat Gassiev is currently ranked number one with the WBA.

Oleksandr Usyk’s record

Usyk coincidentally made his professional boxing debut a year before his upcoming adversary. The Ukrainian enjoyed a glittering amateur which was capped off in 2012 when he struck gold at the London Olympic Games. He won the WBO cruiserweight title in just his 10th fight – a decision win over Krzysztof Glowacki over in Poland.

The 39-year-old would go on to defend the title multiple times before winning the WBC strap in 2018 against Mairis Briedis. But perhaps his proudest achievement in his early days came a fight later when he won the undisputed cruiserweight title with a staggering win over Murat Gassiev.

A win over Tony Bellew followed before eventually making the decision to move up to heavyweight. Usyk was quick to make his mark, defeating Derek Chisora before winning the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles against Anthony Joshua in 2021. Nearly a year later, the heavyweight icon picked up his second win over ‘AJ.’ A win over Daniel Dubois followed before back-to-back wins over Tyson Fury. Usyk’s last fight came back in July when he triumphed over Dubois for a second time.

Usyk holds a professional record of 24-0 – with 15 of those victories coming by way of knockout.

Rico Verhoeven’s record

While Verhoeven does have some slight experience in the boxing ring, he is largely known for his work in the world of kickboxing. The Dutch veteran’s only professional boxing bout came back in 2014 – a second round knockout win over Janos Finfera in Germany.

The 37-year-old enjoyed a career in kickboxing which spanned over 20 years. He held GLORY Kickboxing’s heavyweight title for longer than any other fighter – making a record 13 defences. Verhoeven engaged in many rivalries during his time against the likes of Daniel Ghita, Errol Zimmerman and Benjamin Adegbuyi. After 20 years as a kickboxer, Verhoeven retired last year with a professional record of 66-10 – with 21 of his wins coming by way of TKO.