Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles by stopping Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the 11th round of their fight in Giza, Egypt. Verhoeven, a former kickboxer in his second pro boxing match, had surprisingly led on scorecards.
Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC, WBA, and IBF titles by stopping Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the 11th round. The fight, held at the Pyramids of Egypt, was considered a mismatch, but Verhoeven put up a strong challenge, leading on some scorecards before Usyk's late uppercut secured the win.
Oleksandr Usyk controversially stopped Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the 11th round to retain his WBC title. Verhoeven, a former kickboxer, had troubled the unbeaten champion for most of the fight in Giza.
Oleksandr Usyk controversially stopped Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the 11th round to retain his WBC title. Verhoeven, a Dutch kickboxer, had surprised many by performing strongly against the Ukrainian champion.
Kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven will challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC world title in Egypt after a chance meeting with actor Jason Statham. Statham, an ally of Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, apparently put Verhoeven's name forward for the fight.
