WBC heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk retained his title on Saturday, May 23, 2026, after surviving a massive scare to secure an 11th-round stoppage against Rico Verhoeven. The contest ended at 2:59 of the penultimate round, though the timing of referee Mark Lyson’s intervention immediately sparked controversy among ringside observers and the challenger’s camp.
Rico Verhoeven, a former Glory heavyweight champion making a rare transition from kickboxing, nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the sport’s history. Despite his status as a combat sports legend, the IBF and WBA titles were not on the line because the Dutchman currently lacks a world ranking in professional boxing. The win ensures Oleksandr Usyk remains the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion.
The fight was marked by a special “King of the Nile” championship belt created specifically for the winner by the WBC. While the official location of the bout was not explicitly detailed in post-fight reports, major card broadcasts began at 8:00 p.m. EEST for viewers in Egypt. This performance comes as Usyk’s latest remarks regarding his heavyweight rivals continue to fuel speculation about his next move in the division.
Controversial stoppage timing in the 11th round
The fight reached a dramatic conclusion when Mark Lyson halted the contest just one second before the end of the 11th round. While the official time was recorded as 2:59, some analysts at NY FIGHTS suggested the clock was closer to 3:01. This discrepancy has led to heated debate over whether Rico Verhoeven should have been allowed to finish the round and reach the final three minutes of the bout.
Peter Fury, who trained the Dutch star for this encounter, was vocal in his disagreement with the referee’s decision. The camp argued that their fighter was still competitive and deserved the opportunity to survive the round. This narrow escape for the champion follows earlier reports that Usyk’s next bout would be a high-stakes affair designed to test his legendary technical skills against raw physicality.
Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew, serving as an analyst for the fight, noted that Rico Verhoeven’s performance exposed a “human” side to the champion. Bellew’s assessment reflected the general surprise at how effectively the kickboxer neutralized the Ukrainian’s movement for long periods. The pressure Rico Verhoeven applied forced the champion into a much more difficult night than many experts had predicted.
Future for Usyk and Verhoeven after Giza clash
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman presented the “King of the Nile” belt to the champion following the result, acknowledging the scale of the challenge he had just overcome. For the winner, the focus now shifts back to his mandatory obligations and the possibility of further unification. The heavyweight landscape remains volatile, especially as Fury-Joshua bout rumors suggest other major moves are happening elsewhere in the division.
Rico Verhoeven has indicated he does not intend for this to be a one-off appearance in the boxing ring. His ability to compete with the undisputed king of the division suggests he could become a factor in the heavyweight rankings in the near future. His trainer Peter Fury praised the disciplined approach the Dutchman showed until the final moments of the 11th round.
The fallout from the stoppage will likely prompt calls for a rematch, given the disputed timing of Mark Lyson’s intervention. For now, Oleksandr Usyk leaves with his WBC title intact, but the heavyweight division has been served notice that the crossover threat from elite kickboxers like Rico Verhoeven is a reality.
