The eyes of boxing fans worldwide were fixed on Egypt, at the foot of the magnificent Giza pyramids, the most mysterious monuments in human history. The long-awaited, sensational super-fight in professional boxing has concluded. Undisputed heavyweight champion, the legendary Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, defeated kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven in an intense and controversial bout, successfully defending his gold belts once again.
The clash unfolded with such an unexpected scenario that at the moment the referee stopped the fight, Oleksandr Usyk was trailing on one of the judges' scorecards. Notably, the giant Dutchman Rico Verhoeven, competing in only his second professional boxing match, managed to hold his own against the champion for most of the fight. He was leading on one of the three judges' scorecards.
11th-round drama: Knockout with one second left
The decisive moment occurred in the final seconds of the 11th round. Increasing the pressure, Usyk floored Rico with a swift and unexpected right uppercut (knockdown). Although Verhoeven managed to get up through sheer willpower before the count, the referee decided to stop the fight just one second before the round ended, declaring a technical knockout after a barrage of punches from Usyk.
After the fight, the honorable Ukrainian champion praised his opponent's courage:
“Rico, you are truly a great warrior. This was one of the toughest, yet most beautiful fights of my career,” said Oleksandr Usyk.
A defeated Verhoeven did not hide his dissatisfaction with the referee's decision:
“In my opinion, the referee stopped the fight too early. Of course, I don't make the final decision in the ring. But the referee knew there were only seconds left in the round; he should have given me the chance to fight to the end and defend myself,” emphasized the Dutch athlete.
Peter Fury: “The fight was stopped early”
Peter Fury, the experienced trainer in Rico Verhoeven's corner and uncle of heavyweight star Tyson Fury, also harshly criticized the refereeing decision:
“Yes, I admit Rico was very tired; after all, it was the 11th round of a heavyweight fight. Perhaps he wouldn't have made it to the final 12th round. But regardless, I believe stopping the fight at that exact second was a premature and incorrect decision,” said the renowned expert.
However, the initiative was entirely with Verhoeven in the early rounds. From the first minutes, he was more active in the ring, causing serious problems for the reigning world champion with his precise and heavy punches. As the rounds progressed, the experienced Usyk took control, regaining the advantage with his signature uppercuts and powerful left crosses.
Nevertheless, the Dutch challenger remained dangerous and competitive until the end of the ninth round, appearing more active and threatening than Oleksandr in some episodes. Yet, the champion proved his status — in the final rounds, he maximized the physical pressure and clinched a decisive victory in this historic encounter. This unforgettable night at the pyramids has secured its place in boxing history.
Do you think the referee acted too hastily with one second left, or did he save Rico Verhoeven from a serious injury?
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