Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in a highly anticipated bout held at the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. This marked Verhoeven’s second professional boxing match.
Despite having significantly less boxing experience compared to the long-reigning GLORY heavyweight champion, Verhoeven performed admirably, winning the majority of the first 11 rounds. However, in the 11th round, after being knocked down, Verhoeven managed to beat the count. Usyk seized the opportunity, pressing his advantage to secure a TKO victory. The stoppage was considered early by some commentators and even Verhoeven’s corner.
Had Verhoeven managed to survive the 11th round, it’s likely Usyk would have needed a decisive finish in the final round to retain his titles. Verhoeven came remarkably close to achieving an upset victory, and Usyk has already agreed to a rematch.
Main Card Results
- Oleksandr Usyk def. Rico Verhoeven via TKO in Round 11. Usyk retains his Ring and WBC heavyweight titles.
- Hamzah Sheeraz def. Alem Begic via KO in Round 2. Sheeraz becomes the WBO super middleweight world champion.
- Jack Catterall def. Shakhram Giyasov via unanimous decision. Catterall wins the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight belt.
- Frank Sanchez def. Richard Torrez Jr. via KO in Round 2.
- Mizuki Hiruta def. Mai Soliman via unanimous decision. Hiruta defends her Ring and WBO junior bantamweight titles.
- Benjamin Mendes Tani def. Daniel Lapin via TKO in Round 4.
Prelims
- Jamar Talley def. Basem Mamdouh via KO in Round 2.
- Sultan Almohammed def. Dedy Imprax via KO in Round 1.
- Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya def. Ali Sserunkuma via unanimous decision.
- Omar Hikal def. Michael Kalyalya via KO in Round 3.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven: Full Fight Card Results
Main Event: Oleksandr Usyk def. Rico Verhoeven (TKO, Round 11) – Usyk retains Ring and WBC heavyweight titles.
Co-Main Event: Hamzah Sheeraz def. Alem Begic (KO, Round 2) – Sheeraz wins WBO super middleweight title.
Jack Catterall def. Shakhram Giyasov (Unanimous Decision) – Catterall wins WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title.
Frank Sanchez def. Richard Torrez Jr. (KO, Round 2)
Mizuki Hiruta def. Mai Soliman (Unanimous Decision) – Hiruta retains Ring and WBO junior bantamweight titles.
Benjamin Mendes Tani def. Daniel Lapin (TKO, Round 4)
Prelims:
- Jamar Talley def. Basem Mamdouh (KO, Round 2)
- Sultan Almohammed def. Dedy Imprax (KO, Round 1)
- Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya def. Ali Sserunkuma (Unanimous Decision)
- Omar Hikal def. Michael Kalyalya (KO, Round 3)
English Translation:
Oleksandr Usyk defended his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing sensation Rico Verhoeven in the main event held at the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. This was Verhoeven’s second professional boxing appearance.
Despite having significantly less boxing experience, the long-time GLORY heavyweight champion managed to win the majority of the first 11 rounds. In the 11th round, after being knocked down, Verhoeven beat the count. However, Usyk capitalized on the opportunity, pressing forward to secure a TKO victory. The stoppage was described as early by commentators and Verhoeven’s corner.
Had Usyk not secured the knockout and Verhoeven survived the round, the Ukrainian champion would likely have needed a decisive finish in the final round to keep his titles. Verhoeven came extremely close to pulling off a major upset, and Usyk has already agreed to a rematch.
Main Card Results
- Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven in Round 11 by TKO, retaining his Ring and WBC heavyweight titles.
- Hamzah Sheeraz defeated Alem Begic via Round 2 KO to become the WBO super middleweight world champion.
- Jack Catterall defeated Shakhram Giyasov via unanimous decision, winning the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight belt.
- Frank Sanchez defeated Richard Torrez Jr. via Round 2 KO.
- Mizuki Hiruta defeated Mai Soliman via unanimous decision, defending her Ring and WBO junior bantamweight titles.
- Benjamin Mendes Tani defeated Daniel Lapin via TKO in Round 4.
Prelims
- Jamar Talley defeated Basem Mamdouh via Round 2 KO.
- Sultan Almohammed defeated Dedy Imprax via Round 1 KO.
- Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya defeated Ali Sserunkuma via unanimous decision.
- Omar Hikal defeated Michael Kalyalya via Round 3 KO.