Usyk Vs Verhoeven: Ukrainian Retains Boxing Title In 11th Round After Controversial Victory
Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk survived a scare to earn an 11th-round stoppage against Rico Verhoeven, a Dutch kickboxer who pushed the undefeated Ukrainian to his limits on Saturday. In a chaotic ending, the 39-year-old Usyk dropped the challenger late in the penultimate round, and referee Mark Lyson waved it off at 2:59 after Usyk pounced when Verhoeven beat the count shortly before the bell. Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) holds the WBC, WBA and IBF belts. For the 37-year-old Verhoeven, it was just his second time fighting as a boxer.
Oleksandr Usyk, center, greets his fans after winning his boxing match against Rico Verhoeven during the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
Oleksandr Usyk fans celebrate after he won his boxing match against Rico Verhoeven during the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
Oleksandr Usyk, left, fights during a boxing match against Rico Verhoeven, right, at the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
Oleksandr Usyk, right, battles Rico Verhoeven, left, during a boxing match at the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
Oleksandr Usyk, left, fights during a boxing match against Rico Verhoeven, right, at the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
Oleksandr Usyk, left, fights during a boxing match against Rico Verhoeven, right, at the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
A laser show occurs before a boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven a head of the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
Fireworks explode before a boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven during the WBC World Heavyweight Championship "Glory in Giza" at the site of the Pyramids of Giza, in Giza, Egypt. | Photo: AP
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