Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk narrowly avoided a historic upset on Saturday, May 23, 2026, by stopping Dutch kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The victory preserved Usyk’s undefeated record, though the champion struggled significantly against his underdog opponent throughout the contest.
A Fight That Threatened to Rewrite Boxing History
The “Glory in Giza” event was widely expected to be a showcase for Oleksandr Usyk, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist and consummate professional. Instead, the WBC, WBA, and IBF titleholder found himself in a desperate battle against a man whose only previous professional boxing match occurred 12 years ago. Rico Verhoeven, a decorated kickboxer, entered the ring as a massive underdog but immediately discarded the pre-fight narrative by adopting a high-pressure, frantic style that disrupted the champion’s rhythm.
According to The New York Times, Verhoeven weighed in nearly two stones heavier than Usyk and utilized that size to smother the Ukrainian whenever he attempted to find his range. The Dutchman’s unorthodox movement, developed during his training with Peter Fury, forced Usyk to fight off the ropes for much of the night. It was not until the fourth round that Usyk began to assert himself, though even then, Verhoeven refused to buckle, landing heavy counters that kept the champion on the defensive.
The 11th-Round Turning Point
cluster (priority): The New York Times
Heading into the penultimate round, the fight remained uncomfortably close. Scorecards published by Al Jazeera reveal that judges were split: two had the fight tied at 95-95, while the third judge actually favored Verhoeven 96-94. The champion, appearing visibly lethargic and slower than his usual self, reached a breaking point in the 11th.
After catching the challenger with a shot in the 10th round that caused a momentary lapse in focus, Usyk finally broke through in the 11th. He landed a decisive right uppercut that sent Verhoeven to the canvas. While the Dutchman successfully beat the count and was granted a brief reprieve to replace his lost mouthguard, the end was inevitable. Usyk unleashed a sustained flurry of punches, forcing the referee to intervene with only one second remaining in the round.
Reaction to the Controversial Stoppage
EARLY Stoppage? Usyk SURVIVES! Stops Rico Verhoeven SHUT OUT!
The finish left Verhoeven frustrated, as he felt he was denied the opportunity to survive until the final bell. Speaking to Variety regarding the broadcast details and the aftermath, the challenger expressed his disappointment with the referee’s timing.
“I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end, it’s not up to me. The referee knows that we are almost at the end of the round, so let me go out on my shield or let the bell go.” Rico Verhoeven, challenger
Despite the controversy, Verhoeven remained gracious about the opportunity to compete at the highest level of professional boxing. He acknowledged the difficulty of the task, admitting he was “already super thankful for the opportunity” while signaling his desire for a future rematch.
Usyk’s Emotional Victory Amid Conflict
cluster (priority): Variety
For Usyk, the victory was less about the technical performance and more about the weight of his home country. The champion, who extended his record to 25 unbeaten fights, referenced the ongoing war in Ukraine during his post-fight comments.
“Right now in Ukraine, my people and my country – there is bombing. My people are sitting in bomb shelters. My family. My daughter sent me a message: ‘Papa, I love you. You win. I’m afraid.’ I said, ‘Oh my God.’” Oleksandr Usyk, heavyweight champion
The champion also credited his tactical adjustment for the win, stating, “This fight was hard. It was a good fight. I was just boxing, my right uppercut, bang. Bang, bang, bang. Thank you, God.” With the win secured, Usyk retains his WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, avoiding what would have been one of the greatest upsets in the history of the sport, a result that many analysts had compared to Mike Tyson’s 1990 loss to James “Buster” Douglas.
