Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC heavyweight title on Saturday night by stopping Rico Verhoeven via an 11th-round technical knockout at the Pyramids of Giza. In an unexpectedly close “Glory in Giza” bout, referee Mark Lyson halted the contest at 2:59 of the 11th round after the Iraqi-born Ukrainian champion dropped the challenger with a sharp left uppercut. The result saw Usyk improve his professional record to 25-0 (16 KOs), while Rico Verhoeven fell to 1-1 in his fledgling boxing career.
The event made history as the first professional boxing card staged at the Giza Necropolis in Egypt. Despite entering as a massive -2000 favorite, Oleksandr Usyk faced significant resistance from the former Glory Kickboxing heavyweight champion. Verhoeven won the opening round on several cards after landing a surprising right hand that forced the unified champion to reassess his strategy. The challenger used his bulk to press forward, keeping the contest competitive through the early and middle rounds.
By the end of the eighth round, the WBC’s open scoring system revealed a deadlocked fight at 76-76. The tension mirrored previous Usyk-Verhoeven champion vs. kickboxing star analysis that suggested Verhoeven’s physical strength might disrupt Usyk’s technical rhythm. Verhoeven continued his surge in the ninth, trapping Usyk against the ropes, though the champion responded by dominating the tenth round with heavy punishment.
Oleksandr Usyk secures the stoppage with a left uppercut
The turning point arrived in the 11th round when Oleksandr Usyk connected with a left uppercut that sent Rico Verhoeven to the canvas. Verhoeven beat the count, and the referee briefly paused the action to replace the challenger’s mouthpiece. However, as the champion followed up with a flurry of punches, Mark Lyson stepped in to stop the fight. The timing of the intervention sparked immediate discussion, as the bell appeared to sound just as the referee made his move with one second remaining in the round.
Heading into that decisive 11th round, two judges had the fight scored as a 95-95 draw, while the third judge had Rico Verhoeven leading 96-94. Statistical data from CompuBox further highlighted how close the bout was; Verhoeven landed 113 of 508 total punches, while Usyk landed 112 of 499. The Dutch challenger also held a slight edge in power punches, landing 93 compared to Usyk’s 89. If Verhoeven had survived the 11th, he would have entered the final round still very much in contention for a draw or a victory.
Post-fight reactions and future mandatory challenges
In his post-fight address, Oleksandr Usyk paid significant tribute to his opponent’s transition to the ring. “I truly respect people who reach the very top in their sport,” Usyk said. “Rico is one of them — a powerful athlete and a great champion. Being a champion isn’t just about belts. It’s about years of hard work, discipline, and belief. I respect his journey — he’s truly the King of Kickboxing. But this is boxing — a different game, with its own rules and its own kings.”
The champion also dedicated his victory to the “pueblo ucraniano y a los soldados ucranianos” (Ukrainian people and Ukrainian soldiers). While several fans have already called for a rematch following the dramatic finish, Agit Kabayel appears to be the most likely next opponent. Agit Kabayel, the WBC interim champion, entered the ring after the bout to challenge Usyk and requested that their fight take place in a stadium in Germany.
While Rico Verhoeven expressed disappointment with the timing of the stoppage, his performance proved he can compete with elite heavyweights. Before the Giza event, reports indicated that Verhoeven intends to box post-Usyk, and this showing provides a strong platform for his future in the sport. Whether he pursues a rematch or moves on to other contenders, the “Glory in Giza” established the kickboxing legend as a legitimate threat in the heavyweight division.
