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Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC heavyweight title by stopping Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round on May 23, 2026, in a dramatic finish in Giza, Egypt. The Ukrainian champion faced an unexpected challenge from the Dutch kickboxing legend, who nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history before the late stoppage ended the contest.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Usyk defeated Verhoeven by 11th-round TKO to retain his WBC heavyweight title
- The stoppage was controversial — judges had Verhoeven leading or even before the 11th
- Verhoeven weighed 258.7 lbs, a 25.4-pound advantage over the 233.3-lb Usyk
- Usyk improves to 25-0 (16 KOs), extending his perfect record across two weight classes
- Fight took place at the Pyramids of Giza, the most iconic venue in recent boxing history
Verhoeven’s Upset Bid Falls Short in Historic Matchup
Rico Verhoeven brought an unconventional resume to the ring: 12 years since his last professional boxing bout, combined with a legendary GLORY heavyweight kickboxing championship spanning a decade at the sport’s highest level. The Dutch fighter’s size advantage was immediately evident at weigh-ins, where he outweighed Usyk by nearly 25 pounds. Verhoeven’s strength and unorthodox angles—honed through kickboxing excellence—forced Usyk to navigate an entirely different tactical puzzle than his previous opponents.
The fight unfolded as a closest contest than most anticipated heading into the event. Verhoeven utilized his reach and weight to press Usyk throughout the middle rounds, landing meaningful combinations while Usyk relied on footwork, timing, and counter-punching precision. Multiple judges saw the fight differently than expected: one scorecard had Verhoeven leading 96-94, while two others had the bout even at 96-96 entering the 11th round.
Boxing news: Usyk stops Rico Verhoeven in Round 11 in Giza, Egypt
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The Dramatic 11th-Round Stoppage and Controversy
Verhoeven went down in the 11th round and beat the referee’s count, but Usyk immediately pressed forward with a sustained assault in the corner. The referee halted the fight shortly after, preventing Verhoeven from continuing. The decision drew immediate criticism from boxing observers. According to reports, Fury’s camp expressed dissatisfaction with the stoppage, questioning whether Verhoeven had truly been unable to continue or whether the referee had intervened prematurely.
The controversy stems from the judges’ scorecards released after the stoppage. Two judges scored the bout an even 96-96 heading into round 11, meaning Usyk was effectively losing—or at minimum, deadlocked with a fighter making only his third professional boxing appearance in over a decade. The dramatic finish prevented a decision that might have further complicated the heavyweight picture.
Usyk’s Record and Championship Status After Victory
| Metric | Usyk | Verhoeven |
| Professional Record | 25-0 (16 KOs) | 11-9 (8 KOs) in boxing |
| Reigning Titles | WBC, IBF, WBA Super, The Ring | Former GLORY champion |
| Weight at Weigh-In | 233.3 lbs | 258.7 lbs |
| Knockout Rate | 64% (16 of 25) | 42% in boxing (8 of 19) |
| Last Significant Win | 2-time heavyweight undisputed champion | GLORY heavyweight championship |
Usyk remains undefeated across his entire professional career, a span of 13 years that includes triumphs in two weight classes. His 16 knockout victories demonstrate consistent punching power, though Verhoeven’s larger frame and defensive resilience made this one of his toughest nights. Usyk’s technical excellence—refined through his Olympic amateur pedigree and world championship experience at cruiserweight—weathered an unprecedented challenge from a sport entirely different from professional boxing.
What’s Next for Usyk After Verhoeven Victory?
The heavyweight division awaits Usyk’s next move. Speculation centers on potential unification bouts against the IBF champion and other regional title holders, as well as possible rematches or legacy-defining fights. Verhoeven’s performance, while ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated that experimenting with elite athletes from other combat sports can produce compelling matchups and test champions in new ways.
Usyk has previously expressed interest in becoming world champion a third time and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight champions. This victory, despite its controversial nature, advances that goal. The close judges’ scorecards suggest that Usyk may face renewed pressure to deliver more dominant performances against lesser opposition or to accept the most dangerous challengers available.
Was the Stoppage Justified, or Did Controversy Overshadow the Achievement?
The 11th-round TKO remains the central point of debate surrounding this fight. Boxing fans and analysts questioned whether the referee’s intervention was premature or necessary. Verhoeven’s ability to beat the count and remain on his feet momentarily raised questions about whether he was genuinely unable to continue or whether the referee made a judgment call that ended a competitive fight earlier than it might have ended naturally.
This controversy adds complexity to Usyk’s already impressive record. While his technical superiority and championship-level conditioning proved decisive, the manner of victory ensures this fight will be discussed for years—not as a dominant statement from Usyk, but as a narrow escape that elevated Verhoeven’s profile despite the loss.
Sources
- ESPN Boxing – Live results and analysis
- BBC Sport – Round-by-round coverage from Giza
- Ring Magazine – Official scorecards and judges’ decisions
- DAZN Boxing – Fight statistics and commentary
- BoxRec – Professional boxing records
