Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC and WBA heavyweight titles with an 11th-round technical knockout of Rico Verhoeven on Saturday at the Pyramids of Giza, though the victory has been overshadowed by a deeply controversial stoppage. Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk was pushed to the limit by the former kickboxing standout before referee Mark Lyson intervened at 2:59 of the 11th round, despite the bell having already sounded to end the frame.
The conclusion of the bout at the Giza Necropolis drew immediate condemnation from across the boxing world. Rico Verhoeven, who entered the contest with only one previous professional boxing match, had been described as fighting the “perfect fight” for nearly 11 rounds and looked to have hurt the champion on several occasions. After Rico Verhoeven beat the count following a knockdown earlier in the 11th, Oleksandr Usyk launched a flurry of shots after the bell had rung, leading Mark Lyson to stop the fight with just one second remaining in the round.
The controversy is heightened by the official scorecards at the time of the TKO. Two judges had the heavyweight clash scored even at 95-95, while the third judge favored the Dutch challenger 95-94. DAZN News, which broadcast the event on pay-per-view, had the fight scored 98-92 for Rico Verhoeven at the time of the stoppage. This performance mirrored the ambition seen in Rico Verhoeven’s boxing transition efforts as he attempted to dethrone the pound-for-pound number one.
Boxing world reacts to chaotic finish at the Pyramids
Prominent figures in the sport were quick to label the outcome unfair given the timing of the intervention. Ryan Garcia took to social media to state his belief that “the round had already finished before the referee jumped in,” questioning why the fight was waived off while Rico Verhoeven was still on his feet. The timing of the stoppage effectively denied the challenger a final round in a fight he was widely leading on the scorecards.
Derek Chisora was even more direct in his assessment, calling the 11th-round finish a “robbery.” Before the fight, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn had acknowledged Rico Verhoeven as a “real competitor” but doubted he was good enough to beat a fighter of Oleksandr Usyk’s caliber. However, the 37-year-old Dutchman proved much more dangerous than anticipated, utilizing the 15 years of training he received under boxing coach Peter Fury to stifle the 39-year-old champion for long periods.
Peter Fury, appearing to downplay the pre-fight weigh-in drama, praised both men as natural fighters who were eager to clash. Following the controversial end, Peter Fury wasted no time in calling for an Oleksandr Usyk rematch to settle the score. This adds another layer of intrigue to the division, much like how Oleksandr Usyk’s remarks fuel the Fury rivalry whenever the future of the undisputed crown is discussed.
Rico Verhoeven represents a unique heavyweight threat
The performance was an unexpected showcase of Rico Verhoeven’s ability to adapt his world-class kickboxing pedigree to the boxing ring. Rico Verhoeven held the GLORY kickboxing heavyweight championship for 12 years, winning 14 championship bouts and securing 27 consecutive fights in the GLORY promotion. This level of elite combat experience allowed him to stay competitive against the southpaw Usyk, despite the champion’s 24-0 record heading into the night.
- Oleksandr Usyk record: 25-0 (16 KOs) following the victory.
- Rico Verhoeven record: 1-1 (1 KO) in professional boxing.
- Venue: Outdoor ring at the Giza Necropolis, Egypt.
- Stoppage time: 2:59 of Round 11, after the bell had sounded.
Despite the win, Oleksandr Usyk showed grit to overcome a slow start and find the 11th-round knockdown that changed the momentum. In his post-fight comments, the unified champion was graceful toward his opponent, stating, “Thank you so much Rico, you’re an amazing fighter.” While the victory keeps his titles secure, the nature of the finish has left fans questioning the officiating on a night that was otherwise a historic spectacle in Northern Africa.
What the controversial result means for the titles
Oleksandr Usyk remains the WBC and WBA heavyweight champion, but the cloud of the 11th-round stoppage will likely persist until a clear path forward is established. The punches thrown after the bell and the referee’s decision to stop the fight with one second left on the clock will be the primary focus of post-fight reviews. For Rico Verhoeven, the bout served as a massive reputation booster, proving he can hurt and outbox one of the greatest technical fighters of the modern era.
The fight was part of a larger trend of elite heavyweights seeking major international venues. Just as Richard Torrez Jr. anticipated fighting Frank Sanchez in an IBF eliminator at the same location, the Giza Necropolis provided a dramatic backdrop for a fight that ended in high-stakes drama. Whether the sanctioning bodies will take note of the scoring or the timing of the stoppage to mandate a rematch remains the biggest question in the heavyweight landscape.
With Rico Verhoeven’s kickboxing record standing at 66-10 and his boxing career now at 1-1, he has expressed a clear intention to continue in the sport. If a second fight with Oleksandr Usyk does not materialize, Verhoeven has established himself as a legitimate contender for any top ten heavyweight. For now, the champion returns to Ukraine with his belts, while the boxing world continues to debate the events of May 23.
