Oleksandr Usyk, Ukraine's unbeaten heavyweight world champion, stopped Dutch former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second remaining in the 11th round to avoid what would have been one of the greatest boxing upsets of all time on Saturday. The WBC title fight at the Pyramids of Giza was widely considered a mismatch, but Verhoeven, whose sole previous professional boxing fight was 12 years ago, tore up the script from the opening bell and looked set to win.
A Shocking Challenge
Verhoeven's jerky style, bulldozing aggression, and powerful right hand troubled a sluggish-looking Usyk for most of the fight. He started well, landing vicious right hands in the first round, and although Usyk had a good fourth round, rocking Verhoeven with an uppercut, he seemed to be losing most of the early rounds. As the rounds ticked down, everyone waited for Usyk to assert his superiority, but that did not come until the end of the 11th.
Controversial Stoppage
In a chaotic ending, Usyk dropped the challenger late in the 11th round with a plush right hand that sent Verhoeven through the ropes. Once Verhoeven beat the count, Usyk unleashed a barrage, and the referee waved it off shortly before the bell. With so little time left, the decision seemed hugely controversial. "I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end it's not up to me," Verhoeven told Dazn. "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 expressed gratitude for the opportunity and revealed that Usyk had offered a rematch. "I am super proud of my performance, and hopefully the boxing world embraces me as a boxer," he added.
Usyk's Emotional Victory
Usyk dedicated the win to his family and country amid the ongoing war. "I know right now, Ukrainian people are sitting in bomb shelters, my daughter too, in a bomb shelter, sent me a message saying, 'Papa, I love you, you will win'," said Usyk. "Thank you so much, Rico. You are an amazing fighter. This fight was hard. It was a good fight."
