Full Breakdown
Controversial 11th-Round Stoppage Gives Oleksandr Usyk Victory Over Rico Verhoeven in Cairo
5/25/2026, 8:45:22 PM
The Fight and Its Immediate Outcome
On 23 May 2026, the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles were contested at the “Glory in Giza” event in Cairo, Egypt. In the 11th round, at 2 minutes 59 seconds, referee Mark Lyson halted the bout after Oleksandr Usyk landed a right uppercut that dropped Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven beat the count, but the referee stopped the fight before the scheduled 12th round, awarding Usyk a TKO victory and preserving his 25-0 record.
Background & Context
Usyk entered the match as the unified heavyweight champion and former undisputed champion in two lower weight classes. Verhoeven, the GLORY kick-boxing heavyweight champion, was making only his second professional boxing appearance, having previously fought once in 2014. The fight was billed as a mismatch, yet Verhoeven’s performance challenged early expectations.
Data & Statistics
The three judges’ scorecards after ten completed rounds read 96-94 for Verhoeven (Pasquale Procopio) and 95-95 on the other two (Manuel Oliver Palomo, Fabian Guggenheim). Punch statistics showed Verhoeven landed 113 punches to Usyk’s 112. The stoppage occurred with one second remaining in the 11th round.
Official Statements & Responses
Usyk said he does not consider the stoppage his responsibility, emphasizing that his focus is boxing. Turki Alalshikh, Saudi boxing adviser, called the stoppage “bad” and argued Verhoeven should have been allowed to continue. Promoter Eddie Hearn described the decision as “early” and expressed that Verhoeven was “a couple of rounds up” before the finish. Frank Warren, representing mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, reiterated that Usyk’s next defense should be against Kabayel.
Criticism & Opposition
Former champion Anthony Joshua labeled the referee’s timing “definitely” premature. Former UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou argued that Verhoeven was “robbed.” Shakur Stevenson noted that the referee’s intervention helped Usyk, while Teddy Atlas suggested the stoppage prevented serious injury to Verhoeven. Multiple commentators, including Jake Paul and Peter Fury, echoed concerns about the timing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Video evidence posted by Turki Alalshikh shows the bell sounding before Lyson’s intervention, a claim echoed by Verhoeven and several analysts. Other sources state that the referee acted without precise clock data, noting the sport lacks instant-replay mechanisms to verify the exact moment of stoppage. No governing body has yet ruled on the timing dispute.
Verbatim Quotes
- “but looking back at it, the referee should admit his mistake, look back at it, and say, ‘It’s either a no contest or we go to the scorecards.’ And if we go to the scorecards, I was ahead.” — Rico Verhoeven
- “I do not think about this. A lot of people said the stoppage was early. Listen, it's not my job. My job is boxing,” — Oleksandr Usyk, Champion
- “Rico deserved to continue to fight. It's clear that Usyk was controlling in the end, but the referee should have allowed the fight to reach a clear result.” — Turki Alalshikh, Advisor
What’s Next
Verhoeven’s camp has filed an official protest and intends to appeal the result, seeking a no-contest or a decision based on the scorecards. The WBC has mandated that Usyk’s next defense be against interim champion Agit Kabayel in Germany. Simultaneously, Turki Alalshikh and promoter Frank Warren have indicated that a rematch with Verhoeven remains a commercial possibility, pending the outcome of any appeal.
