Usyk vs Rico: Ukrainian heavyweight champion stops novice in controversial 11th-round stoppage win
May 23, 2026 / /
A fortunate Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles in Egypt with a highly controversial 11th-round stoppage win against boxing novice Rico Verhoeven.
Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing fight, was the clear aggressor for long spells, stunning generational great Usyk in a way nobody expected.
Possibly behind on the judges’ cards, Ukrainian Usyk produced a late surge and landed a sharp left uppercut that sent the Dutchman to the canvas.
Verhoeven beat the count, but a follow-up flurry in the closing seconds of the round prompted the referee to step in and wave it off – a decision that looked extremely harsh on the challenger.
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