Was Rico Verhoeven Robbed Vs. Oleksandr Usyk? Here Are The Facts
Key takeaways
- Gaming Was Rico Verhoeven Robbed Vs.
- Officially, Usyk won the fight via 11th-round TKO, but there are mounds of controversy around referee Mark Lyson's decision to stop the bout in the penultimate round.
- Verhoeven got to his feet, and was inexplicably given extra time to put his mouthpiece back in.
Gaming Was Rico Verhoeven Robbed Vs. Oleksandr Usyk? Here Are The Facts By Brian Mazique,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brian Mazique has covered combat sports and video games since 2011.Follow Author May 24, 2026, 12:05am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.CAIRO, EGYPT - MAY 23: Rico Verhoeven looks dejected following defeat in the WBC and WBA World Heavyweight Titles fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven as part of the Glory in Giza Fight Night at Pyramids Panorama 2 on May 23, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Mohamed Hossam/Getty Images)Getty ImagesRico Verhoeven nearly shocked the world on Saturday in Egypt. In a fight that almost no one gave him a chance to win, the iconic kickboxer nearly defeated lineal heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
Officially, Usyk won the fight via 11th-round TKO, but there are mounds of controversy around referee Mark Lyson's decision to stop the bout in the penultimate round. Late in the 11th round, Usyk dropped Verhoeven with a vicious uppercut.