Rico Verhoeven (left) was competing for just the second time as a professional boxer
Oleksandr Usyk narrowly retained his world heavyweight titles in Egypt, securing a highly contentious 11th-round stoppage victory against boxing newcomer Rico Verhoeven.
Verhoeven, participating in only his second professional boxing match, surprisingly dictated the pace for extended periods, unsettling the esteemed Usyk in an unexpected turn of events.
In a remarkably competitive bout, Ukraine’s Usyk rallied late, delivering a crisp left uppercut that floored the Dutch challenger.
Verhoeven answered the count, but a subsequent barrage in the round’s final moments prompted the referee to halt the fight—a decision deemed exceptionally harsh by many observers.
The scorecards at the time of the stoppage read 95-95, 95-95, and 96-94 in favor of Verhoeven.
“This fight was hard. It was a good fight,” Usyk acknowledged.
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In a contest widely anticipated to underscore the disparity between elite boxing pedigree and crossover ambition, the previously undefeated Usyk appeared uncharacteristically strained.
The 39-year-old—a three-time undisputed champion with reigns at cruiserweight and heavyweight—ultimately secured his 25th professional victory, though his opponent questioned the legitimacy of the outcome.
Kickboxing icon Verhoeven, 37, labeled the stoppage “early” and advocated for a rematch, deferring the decision to Usyk.
“I wanted the referee to let me go out on my shield or let me go in the 12th. I felt we were pretty even on the scorecards,” Verhoeven stated.
Usyk’s WBC title was at stake, with the bout also serving as a defense of his WBA ‘super’ belt—although Verhoeven was ineligible to claim that particular title variant in the event of an upset.
The IBF sanctioned the contest but opted not to put its belt on the line.
Referee Mark Lyson stopped the fight with one second left in the 11th round
The Pyramids of Giza served as a backdrop for a specially constructed open-air arena hosting one of boxing’s more unconventional world title clashes in recent memory.
Verhoeven, a kickboxing heavyweight luminary who dominated his sport for over 4,000 days, made a spirited entrance to the ring around 01:10 local time, accompanied by performers in Egyptian pharaoh attire, followed by Usyk in gladiator-inspired garb, complete with a golden helmet.
Verhoeven, asserting that his unpredictable style could trouble Usyk, initiated the bout energetically, maintaining constant movement and landing a solid right hand to the body.
Usyk responded with a swift double uppercut in the second round, which Verhoeven absorbed effectively before countering with two right hands of his own.
Boxing notables including Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Terence Crawford, Gennady Golovkin, and Anthony Joshua were ringside, alongside Hollywood actor Jason Statham—credited with playing a key role in facilitating the event.
Verhoeven landed another clean right hand on Usyk in the third round.
Usyk, usually a paragon of patience, was compelled to dig deep. He briefly retaliated in the fourth, connecting with a straight right and a stinging left that hurt Verhoeven.
“Get back to your boxing, you’re getting too greedy, trying to land and getting caught,” Verhoeven’s trainer, Peter Fury, advised.
Verhoeven entered the sixth round for the first time in his combat sports career—kickboxing matches typically last five rounds, and his sole prior professional boxing match concluded within two.
Adhering to his trainer’s instructions, Verhoeven witnessed a sluggish Usyk rocked again in the eighth by a right hand. However, the champion rallied in the 10th and 11th, unleashing a series of punches and repeatedly finding success with the uppercut—the most effective shot of his night.
Verhoeven spat out his gumshield, prompting Usyk to immediately protest the extra time afforded to his opponent to recover.
Usyk pressed forward, sensing the impending finish. Verhoeven was visibly hurt, and a stoppage seemed plausible in the 12th round had the fight continued.
Arguably, Verhoeven should have been allowed the opportunity to see out the final round.
Instead, the referee intervened, ending the fight with what will likely be remembered as a controversial stoppage.
WBC ‘interim’ champion Agit Kabayel (right) has won all 27 of his fights, with 19 by stoppage
The pre-fight sentiment suggested that this event bordered on the absurd as a sanctioned world title contest, but Verhoeven largely defied expectations.
“I am super proud of my performance, and hopefully the boxing world embraces me as a boxer. I am amazingly happy to be here,” Verhoeven expressed.
He emerged with considerable credit, solidifying his status as an awkward, physically imposing opponent for any heavyweight.
However, questions remain as to whether this was his prime opportunity, fueled by the element of surprise.
The crossover model is not new, with MMA fighter Francis Ngannou notably coming close to an unexpected victory against Tyson Fury in 2023 before being stopped early by Joshua in his subsequent bout.
Usyk’s standing will likely take a hit as a result of this performance, and the discourse surrounding the outcome and the prospect of a rematch is expected to intensify.
Following the fight, WBC mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel entered the ring to state his case.
“I have waited so long for this fight. I am ready and I think Germany is ready for the fight. Let’s do it in a German stadium. I think all the fans want it,” Kabayel declared.
Usyk, who previously indicated he might have two more fights after Verhoeven, responded: “Let’s do it, no problem. I am ready, brother.”
Regardless of what transpires next, Usyk faced the most challenging night of his career against an opponent few within boxing circles gave a genuine chance.
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