Usyk Knocks Out Verhoeven in 11th Round, Avoids Stunning Boxing Upset
Al Jazeera English
Undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk knocked out former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round in Giza, Egypt, to retain his WBC title and avoid a major upset. Verhoeven, a heavy underdog, pushed Usyk to the brink before being stopped late in the round.
Undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated Ukrainian, knocked out former Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in the final seconds of the 11th round of their WBC title fight at Giza, Egypt, avoiding one of the most shocking defeats in boxing history.
The bout, dubbed “Glory in Giza,” took place at the Egyptian Pyramids on Saturday (May 23) and was widely viewed as a mismatch. But Verhoeven, who had only one professional boxing match 12 years ago, upended all predictions from the opening bell.
It wasn't until the fourth round that Usyk had a clear round in his favor, yet the champion could not capitalize against the taller, heavier Verhoeven, who continued to attack. Usyk entered the fight at his heaviest weight ever and at times appeared sluggish. At 39, he needed a explosive moment in the 11th round to secure victory.
According to The Ring, two of three judges had the fight tied at 95-95 before the 11th round, while the third scored it 96-94 for Verhoeven. The turning point came late in the round when Usyk dropped Verhoeven with a right hook. The Dutchman got up, but the referee stepped in to stop the fight. The announcer confirmed the stoppage at 2 minutes 59 seconds of the 11th round.
“I think it was an early stoppage, but ultimately, it’s not up to me,” Verhoeven, 37, told DAZN. “The referee knew we were near the end of the round, so let me go out on my shield or let the bell finish it. But I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” he added, expressing interest in a rematch.
Verhoeven was only challenging for the WBC belt, while Usyk risked losing both the WBA and IBF titles if he lost. Ultimately, the 39-year-old Ukrainian extended his unbeaten streak to 25 fights and retained all three titles. “This fight was very difficult. It was a good fight. I just boxed, my right hook. Bang, bang, bang. Thank God,” Usyk told the audience, which included former British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and Hollywood action star Jason Statham.
“Right now in Ukraine, my people and my country are being bombed. My people are sitting in shelters. My family. My daughter texted me: ‘Dad, I love you. You won. I’m very scared.’ I said: ‘Oh, God’.”
Had Verhoeven won, it would have been one of the biggest upsets in sports history, surpassing Mike Tyson’s loss to James “Buster” Douglas in 1990. Usyk, a 2012 Olympic champion and a elite boxer, was expected to finish the fight in the middle rounds, if not earlier. Verhoeven entered the outdoor ring dressed as a Pharaoh, flanked by torchbearers with the pyramids illuminated behind him. Usyk chose a Roman gladiator style with a gold helmet and centurion outfit as fireworks lit up the night sky. “Thank you so much, Rico. You are a great fighter,” Usyk said.
