Few gave Rico Verhoeven a realistic chance against unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk in front of the Pyramids of Giza. By the end of Saturday night, the combat sports world was forced to rethink everything.
Despite ultimately suffering an 11th-round stoppage loss, Verhoeven pushed Usyk to the brink and came within seconds of delivering one of the greatest upsets in heavyweight boxing history.
At the moment referee intervention stopped the fight with just one second remaining in Round 11, Verhoeven was still very much alive on the scorecards:
- One judge had him ahead 96-94
- The other two judges scored the fight even at 95-95
Usyk’s massive 11th round changed everything. The Ukrainian superstar finally broke through late, scoring a knockdown that left Verhoeven scrambling to survive the closing seconds.
Still, many questioned whether the stoppage came too early. “I heard the 10-second warning and I was like, ‘Keep slipping and sliding,’” Verhoeven told IFL. “I thought at least we get to fight until the end.”
The Dutch star believed he deserved the opportunity to make it through the round and potentially “shock the world” in the 12th.
Usyk Was Tested Like Few Expected
Coming into the fight, Usyk was viewed as a massive favorite against the longtime kickboxing king. But Verhoeven’s size, movement, awkward angles and pressure repeatedly gave the heavyweight champion problems throughout the fight.
“I showed that I can fight and I can box,” Verhoeven said afterward. “Maybe I didn’t hurt him, but I definitely surprised him with the angles I took to him.”
For stretches of the fight, Verhoeven’s unconventional rhythm and kickboxing-influenced movement appeared to frustrate Usyk more than many expected.
A New Chapter For Verhoeven
Although Verhoeven fell short, his performance dramatically elevated his standing in boxing circles. The 37-year-old made it clear afterward that he now sees boxing not kickboxing as his future.
“The kickboxing chapter has closed,” Verhoeven said. “It’s a new chapter now the boxing chapter.” That statement alone could create massive opportunities moving forward.
Even in defeat, Verhoeven proved he belongs in meaningful heavyweight fights, especially considering he nearly pushed one of boxing’s pound-for-pound elite fighters into a razor-close decision.
Usyk Remains King Of The Heavyweights
The victory improved Usyk to 26-0 and further solidified his place among boxing’s elite.
Oleksandr Usyk remains:
- The WBC heavyweight champion
- IBF heavyweight champion
- WBA heavyweight champion
- One of boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighters
But for one dramatic night beneath the Pyramids, Verhoeven made the seemingly impossible feel very real.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
