Usyk avoids huge upset with last-second stoppage
Key takeaways
- Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) survived a scare against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven to score a controversial 11th round TKO and prevent what would have been a monumental upset in front of the pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
- With the fight being even on two of the three judges' scorecards, an incensed Usyk dropped Verhoeven in the final seconds of Round 11 with a right uppercut.
- Two judges had the fight 95-95 while a third judge saw it 96-94 for Verhoeven at the time of the stoppage.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) survived a scare against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven to score a controversial 11th round TKO and prevent what would have been a monumental upset in front of the pyramids of Giza, Egypt.
With the fight being even on two of the three judges' scorecards, an incensed Usyk dropped Verhoeven in the final seconds of Round 11 with a right uppercut. Verhoeven managed to get to his feet on shaky legs with ten seconds left but was battered by a barrage of violent punches from Usyk. Rather than allow Verhoeven to continue into the final round, referee Mark Lyson called off the fight, seemingly after the bell sounded, earning Usyk the stoppage win officially at 2:59.
Two judges had the fight 95-95 while a third judge saw it 96-94 for Verhoeven at the time of the stoppage.