Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven via technical knockout in the 11th round on Saturday, May 24, 2026 [1].
The victory allows the Ukrainian heavyweight champion to maintain his unbeaten record [1]. However, the result has sparked debate due to the timing of the referee's intervention, which occurred as the fight reached a critical juncture.
The bout took place at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt [1]. Usyk secured the win through a TKO in the 11th round [1]. Reports on the exact timing of the stoppage vary; one source said the referee stopped the fight with one second remaining in the penultimate round [1], while another said the stoppage occurred after the bell in the 11th round [3].
Despite the controversy surrounding the finish, Usyk entered the final moments of the fight ahead on the scorecards [2]. Verhoeven, a former Dutch kickboxer, had been threatening to turn the match into a major surprise before the referee intervened [2].
The stoppage prevented a potential upset and ensured Usyk remained at zero losses [1]. The decision by the official to end the fight has been described as controversial, as it effectively rescued the victory for the champion [3].
Usyk continues to hold his position at the top of the heavyweight division following the event [1]. The transition of Verhoeven from kickboxing to a high-stakes boxing match against a champion provided a unique cross-sport challenge that nearly resulted in an unexpected outcome [2].
“Usyk won by technical knockout (TKO) in the 11th round”
This result reinforces Oleksandr Usyk's dominance in the heavyweight division but introduces a narrative of controversy regarding officiating. The near-upset by Rico Verhoeven demonstrates the viability of elite combat athletes transitioning between disciplines, while the timing of the TKO may lead to calls for a rematch to settle the score without referee interference.
