Usyk avoids shock defeat with 11th-round stoppage of Verhoeven

Key Points:

• Oleksandr Usyk, the unbeaten heavyweight world champion, stopped Dutch former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the 11th round of their WBC title fight in Egypt, avoiding a major upset.
• Despite being considered a mismatch, Verhoeven, with only one prior professional boxing fight 12 years ago, performed strongly, with two judges scoring the fight tied and one favoring Verhoeven going into the penultimate round.
• Usyk, heavier than ever and at times lethargic, secured victory with a decisive right uppercut that led to a referee stoppage just before the round ended, retaining his WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles.
• Verhoeven expressed gratitude for the opportunity and hinted at wanting a rematch, while Usyk dedicated his win to his war-affected family in Ukraine, highlighting the emotional weight behind his victory.
• The fight, held at the pyramids of Egypt with dramatic entrances and a gladiatorial atmosphere, was one of Usyk’s toughest challenges, showcasing Verhoeven’s unexpected resilience and power.