Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven by referee stoppage on May 24, 2026, in a bout held at the Pyramids of Giza [1].
The victory is significant because it maintains Usyk's standing despite a massive physical disadvantage and a finish that has sparked widespread debate among officials and fans.
The fight ended in the 11th round [1] after a knockdown. The referee stopped the contest, judging that Verhoeven could not safely continue [2]. This decision was widely described as controversial, with some reports suggesting the official intervened too early [3].
Physical disparities played a major role in the match dynamics. Usyk weighed 16 stone 9 pounds for the bout [4]. He entered the ring approximately 25 pounds lighter than Verhoeven [4]. Despite the size gap, Usyk managed to secure the technical knockout win.
The event took place against the backdrop of the Pyramids of Giza, marking a rare high-profile boxing appearance in Egypt [1]. While Usyk avoids defeat, the nature of the stoppage has led to questions regarding the official's timing in the final stages of the fight [3].
“Usyk won by referee stoppage (technical knockout) in a controversial decision”
The result preserves Usyk's undefeated momentum but leaves a cloud of uncertainty over the legitimacy of the stoppage. Because the victory relied on a referee's subjective judgment rather than a definitive knockout, the boxing community is likely to call for a rematch to determine a clear winner regardless of the weight discrepancy.
