Usyk defeats Verhoeven in controversial 11th-round stoppage

Oleksandr Usyk secured his 25th professional win by defeating kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven in an 11th-round stoppage. The fight, held in Egypt, saw the Ukrainian boxer face a significant challenge from the Dutch fighter, who was close to achieving a major upset in boxing history.

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How time passes, we age. That is natural and a person cannot change it. And Rico also is not young. But if we analyze the match and look at who had the advantage, we can easily conclude that Usik had greater boxing experience, greater boxing IQ, a boxing technique developed several levels higher, footwork, and everything else he needs to win.

Verhoeven had held his own throughout the bout, appearing to hold a slight advantage on the judges' scorecards heading into the penultimate round. However, Usyk knocked him down late in the 11th round. Although Verhoeven quickly rose and appeared ready to continue, the referee, Mark Lyson, stopped the fight seconds before the round ended, despite the Dutch fighter being on his feet and defending himself.

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Rico also is not young. But if we analyze the match and look at who had the advantage, we can easily conclude that Usik had greater boxing experience, greater boxing IQ, a boxing technique developed several levels higher, footwork, and everything else he needs to win.

The controversial ending sparked debate within the boxing community. Usyk's former promoter, Alexander Krasyuk, offered his perspective, acknowledging Verhoeven's strength and determination. "Rico also is not young. But if we analyze the match and look at who had the advantage, we can easily conclude that Usik had greater boxing experience, greater boxing IQ, a boxing technique developed several levels higher, footwork, and everything else he needs to win," Krasyuk stated. He also noted Verhoeven's physical advantages, including a 15-kilogram weight difference, and his resilience, attributing it to his experience and a smart trainer.

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Rico also is not young. But if we analyze the match and look at who had the advantage, we can easily conclude that Usik had greater boxing experience, greater boxing IQ, a boxing technique developed several levels higher, footwork, and everything else he needs to win.

Krasyuk admitted he had predicted Usyk would win most encounters but acknowledged the possibility of a "miracle." He felt the judges were so impressed they may have awarded rounds Usyk lost. "For Usyk, this was the hardest fight of his career. I saw Rico's potential and energy, I saw that he was very determined and that this would not be a fight of skill, but of character, and that this type of person is capable of causing a surprise," Krasyuk said, adding that Usyk was "kissed by God" and is the luckiest boxer, though that luck was tested.

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Rico also is not young. But if we analyze the match and look at who had the advantage, we can easily conclude that Usik had greater boxing experience, greater boxing IQ, a boxing technique developed several levels higher, footwork, and everything else he needs to win.