Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven

Date & Time
Sat 23rd May 2026 10:00pm Local
Sat 23rd May 2026 7:00pm UTC

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League
Boxing

Season
2026

Round
55

Status
FT

Location
Pyramids of Giza

Video Highlights

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Event Statistics

Description

The heavyweight division prepares for a unique spectacle as unified champion Oleksandr Usyk faces kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, 23 May 2026. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the primary challenge for Usyk is defending his WBC, WBA, and IBF titles against a fighter with a massive size advantage but limited professional boxing experience. The objective for the undefeated Ukrainian is to maintain his pound-for-pound dominance as he begins a planned three-fight retirement run. For Verhoeven, known as the "King of Kickboxing," the goal is to pull off one of the greatest upsets in combat sports history.

Strategically, the goal of the 12-round contest is to see if Verhoeven’s elite physical conditioning and raw power can overcome Usyk’s masterful technical boxing and footwork. The tactical focus for Usyk will be to utilize his southpaw stance and superior ring IQ to systematically dismantle the larger man. For Verhoeven, the mission is to close the distance and turn the fight into a high-pressure physical battle. With the event promoted by Matchroom and Turki Alalshikh, the ultimate goal is to deliver a global sporting event that blends championship boxing with a historic cultural setting.

Reports

Result List

Pos	Cutout	Team	Equipment	Player	Result
01		Boxing Heavyweight		Oleksandr Usyk	WIN
01		Boxing Heavyweight		Rico Verhoeven	LOSS

Result Description

Oleksandr Usyk narrowly avoided one of the most stunning upsets in boxing history, rescuing his undefeated record with a highly dramatic and fiercely debated 11th-round technical knockout over kickboxing king Rico Verhoeven. Fighting under the desert sky in Giza, Verhoeven completely defied expectations. The massive Dutchman completely took the novelty out of the matchup early, utilizing a jerky crouched stance, high-volume bulldozing aggression, and a thunderous right hand to consistently rock and puzzle a sluggish-looking Usyk. Verhoeven fought an almost perfect tactical fight through the first ten rounds, completely neutralizing the champion's signature angles and opening up a wide lead on the live ringside scorecards. The dramatic turning point unfolded late in the 11th round as a visibly exhausted Verhoeven began to labor under the heavy pace. Sensing the urgency, Usyk detonated a perfectly timed right hand followed by a devastating uppercut that sent the challenger crashing through the ropes and down to the canvas. Verhoeven showed incredible heart to beat the count with only seconds remaining in the frame. However, Usyk immediately closed the distance, unleashing a relentless flurry of unanswered punches. Just as the bell sounded to end the round, the referee stepped in to wave off the contest at the 2:59 mark, sparking immediate post-fight controversy and prompting the Verhoeven camp to vocalize plans for an official appeal due to the timing of the stoppage.

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