Usyk beats Verhoeven by stoppage near Pyramids

Oleksandr Usyk won his boxing match against Rico Verhoeven, keeping his world titles. The fight ended in the 11th round near the Pyramids of Giza.
By Newsroom | Boxing, Egypt |

Oleksandr Usyk retained his world titles, securing a stoppage victory over kickboxing luminary Rico Verhoeven in the eleventh round. The contest, held near the historic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday, May 23, 2026, concluded with the referee intervening just one second before the final bell. This abrupt end has ignited debate among fight aficionados.

Usyk rescues gruelling victory against Verhoeven with last-gasp stoppage - 1

The fight's conclusion sparked immediate controversy, with Verhoeven's corner reportedly expressing anger. The referee's decision to halt the bout, with Verhoeven appearing to have recovered from Usyk's left uppercut and seemingly ready to continue into the final round, has been a focal point of post-fight discussion.

Usyk rescues gruelling victory against Verhoeven with last-gasp stoppage - 2

Grueling Contest and Tactical Exchanges

Usyk, the unified heavyweight boxing champion, faced a determined Verhoeven, a relative newcomer to the sport of boxing despite his celebrated kickboxing career. Verhoeven's strategy involved significant punching output, a fact acknowledged as he "worked" to keep the fight competitive. However, Usyk eventually found his opening in the eleventh round, landing a decisive left uppercut that sent Verhoeven down onto the ropes.

Read More: Usyk beats Verhoeven in Giza after late stoppage

Usyk rescues gruelling victory against Verhoeven with last-gasp stoppage - 3

  • Usyk was pushed to his limits, at times appearing close to defeat.

  • Verhoeven, 36, a star from kickboxing's Glory league, had taken on a significant challenge by facing the unified heavyweight king.

  • The Ukrainian boxer, now a prominent figure for his nation amidst its ongoing conflict, also touched upon the situation in Ukraine during his engagement.

Setting and Spectacle

The fight's backdrop, the Pyramids of Giza, offered a unique and monumental setting for the bout, a location described as one of the ancient world's wonders. The event was organized by Turki Alalshikh and was slated for broadcast via DAZN. A co-main event featured Hamza Sheeraz against Alem Begic for the vacant WBO 76.2kg world title.

Usyk rescues gruelling victory against Verhoeven with last-gasp stoppage - 4

The pairing of Usyk and Verhoeven was framed as a significant crossover event, uniting fans from both boxing and kickboxing circles, and potentially marking a memorable moment in combat sports history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Oleksandr Usyk win against Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026?
Oleksandr Usyk kept his world titles by stopping Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round near the Pyramids of Giza. The referee ended the fight just before the final bell.
Q: Why was the end of the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight controversial?
The fight ended controversially because the referee stopped it with one second left, even though Verhoeven seemed ready to continue. Verhoeven's team was unhappy with the decision.
Q: Where did the Usyk and Verhoeven boxing match take place?
The boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven took place near the historic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Q: What was the result for Rico Verhoeven in the fight against Usyk?
Rico Verhoeven lost to Oleksandr Usyk by stoppage in the 11th round. He was knocked down by an uppercut, and the referee stopped the fight shortly after.
Q: Who organized the Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight near the Pyramids?
The fight was organized by Turki Alalshikh and was planned to be shown on DAZN. It was a big crossover event between boxing and kickboxing.