Here’s what’s latest on the Usyk-Verhoeven fight stoppage:
-
Outcome: Oleksandr Usyk stopped Rico Verhoev en in the 11th round with 2:59 elapsed, after a late flurry that led the referee to halt the bout. This kept Usyk’s WBC heavyweight status intact. [sources: ESPN article reporting the stoppage and timing; multiple outlets note the stoppage occurred at 2:59 of round 11]
-
Context of the stoppage: The fight was very close on the scorecards going into the final seconds of round 11; two judges had it 95-95 and one had Verhoeven up 96-94 at the stoppage. Usyk’s late uppercut started the sequence that finished the fight. Verhoeven and his camp publicly disputed the stoppage.
-
Reactions and next steps: Verhoeven suggested he might appeal the stoppage, arguing the call came after the bell ended the round. Usyk’s next opponent options discussed included a rematch with Verhoeven or a potential matchup with Agit Kabayel.
-
Additional coverage: The result was widely reported as dramatic and controversial due to the timing of the final sequence and the referee’s decision to stop after Verhoeven beat the count. Several outlets echoed the same sequence and the controversy surrounding the finish.
If you’d like, I can pull direct quotes from the articles, compare the varying judges’ scorecards, or summarize the key moments of the 11th round step-by-step.
Sources
Ukraine's unbeaten heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk stopped Dutch former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the penultimate round of a WBC title fight on Saturday to avoid one of the greatest boxing upsets of all time.
www.gmanetwork.comUsyk stopped Verhoeven in round 11. Some say it was too early so you can watch now. Read more on DAZN News
www.dazn.comOleksandr Usyk had to work hard for it, but stopped Rico Verhoeven 11 rounds into their "Glory in Giza" main event at the Pyramids in Egypt.
www.ringmagazine.comOleksandr Usyk survived a scare against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven to score a controversial 11th-round stoppage in Giza, Egypt, preventing what would have been a monumental upset during the WBC heavyweight title bout.
www.espn.com.auHeavyweight boxing king Oleksandr Usyk retained his titles after a dramatic and controversial stoppage victory over kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven with a second left of the 11th round in Egypt on Saturday.
www.flashscore.comGIZA, Egypt, May 23 : Ukraine's unbeaten heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk stopped Dutch former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the penultimate round of a WBC title fight on Saturday to avoid one of the greatest boxing upsets of all time.The 'Glory in Giza' fight at the Pyramids of Eg
www.channelnewsasia.comOleksandr Usyk survived a scare against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven to score a controversial 11th-round stoppage in Giza, Egypt, preventing what would have been a monumental upset during the WBC heavyweight title bout.
www.espn.comBringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com