Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBC heavyweight title after stopping Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round [1] on May 24, 2026 [5].
The victory prevents a major upset for the Ukrainian champion, though the nature of the stoppage has sparked significant controversy within the boxing community.
The bout took place at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The fight concluded with a stoppage that occurred with only one second remaining in the penultimate round [2]. This timing left the contest ending on a razor-thin margin, avoiding a potential defeat for Usyk.
Physical disparities were evident at the weigh-in. Usyk entered the ring weighing 16 st 9 lb, or approximately 233 lb [3]. This made the champion 25 lb lighter than Verhoeven [4], the Dutch former kickboxer who transitioned into the heavyweight boxing sphere for this clash.
Despite the size disadvantage, Usyk managed to secure the win in the 11th round [1]. The victory ensures that the WBC heavyweight belt remains with the Ukrainian, though critics have questioned the legitimacy of the stoppage given the timing, and circumstances of the final sequence.
The event represents a continued trend of high-profile combat sports events being hosted in unconventional global locations to attract international audiences. The clash between a traditional boxing champion and a striking specialist from kickboxing added a cross-disciplinary element to the title defense.
“Usyk retained his WBC heavyweight title after stopping Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round”
The controversial nature of the stoppage and the extreme timing suggest that Usyk was under significant pressure from Verhoeven. While Usyk remains the champion, the result may fuel demands for a rematch and highlights the volatile dynamics of heavyweight boxing when facing opponents with diverse striking backgrounds.
