Usyk Defends WBC Heavyweight Title in Controversial 11th-Round Stoppage at Giza

On 23 May 2026, Ukraine’s undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) faced Dutch kick-boxing champion Rico Verhoeven (1-1, 1 KO) in a WBC title bout staged before the pyramids of Giza. Weigh-ins recorded Usyk at 233.3 lb and Verhoeven at 258.7 lb. After a right-hand uppercut knocked Verhoeven down with ten seconds left in round 11, referee Mark Lyson halted the contest at 2:59, awarding Usyk a technical knockout and preserving his unbeaten record.

ESPNSports IllustratedOleksandr Usyk stops Rico Verhoeven to defend WBC heavyweight titleSports Illustrated

Usyk elected to fight Verhoeven after unifying the heavyweight division by defeating Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois twice each. The matchup was billed as a “Glory in Giza” spectacle, pitting a career boxer against a kick-boxing legend making only his second professional boxing appearance. The bout was sanctioned as a WBC title defense; the WBA would have counted it as a defense for Usyk but barred Verhoeven from its belt, while the IBF stipulated its title would be vacated if Verhoeven won.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven and What Almost WasThe IndependentJake Paul and Fighters Critique Controversial Usyk vs. Verhoeven TKO Stoppage in Egypt

• Weight advantage: Verhoeven 25.4 lb heavier.

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• Punch output: Usyk landed 112 of 499 punches (22 %); Verhoeven landed 113 of 508 (22 %).

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• Scorecards at stoppage: Two judges had the fight even at 95-95; the third had Verhoeven ahead 96-94. A knockdown in round 11 would have produced a 10-8 round for Usyk, moving him ahead on two cards and tying the third.

Usyk vs Rico score cards: How the judges had it scored at the time of stoppage

Usyk thanked supporters and highlighted the war in Ukraine, noting his focus remained on defending his titles. Verhoeven expressed gratitude for the opportunity, announced an appeal of the stoppage, and reiterated his belief the fight should have continued into round 12. Peter Fury, Verhoeven’s coach, called the stoppage “premature” but acknowledged Verhoeven’s fatigue. Mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, present after the bout, declared readiness to face Usyk for the WBC belt.

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Promoter Eddie Hearn, influencer-boxer Jake Paul, and UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall all described the referee’s intervention as early and unfair, arguing Verhoeven deserved the chance to finish the final round. Several analysts and fans argued that the decision deprived boxing of a potential historic upset.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven and What Almost Was

Verhoeven and multiple commentators claim the referee stopped the fight after the bell had sounded, while the official time-stamp records the stoppage at 2:59 of round 11. Public perception, based on unofficial real-time scoring, suggested Verhoeven was ahead, whereas the three judges’ cards showed a much tighter contest. No definitive video evidence of the exact bell timing has been released, leaving the precise moment of the stoppage disputed.

Jake Paul and Fighters Critique Controversial Usyk vs. Verhoeven TKO Stoppage in Egypt

• “But I just boxed. It was my right uppercut. Bam!” — Oleksandr Usyk

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• “I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end, it's not up to me,” — Rico Verhoeven

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• “I think the stoppage was early but at the end of the day he [Verhoeven] was tired, he was fatigued, it was the 11th round.” — Peter Fury

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• “Nah can’t get away from this, but Usyk is the best of our generation, and Rico just worked him every round. So is Rico the best of our generation?,” — Jake Paul

USA Today

• “Oh, what? He stopped it? No f*cking way,” — Tom Aspinall

USA Today

The stoppage preserved Usyk’s unbeaten streak and his position near the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, but it also sparked debate over referee protocol and the credibility of cross-disciplinary match-ups. Verhoeven’s performance elevated his profile in boxing, prompting calls for a rematch and influencing future promotional strategies for “crossover” events.

Sports Illustrated

Usyk faces a choice between a rematch with Verhoeven—favoured by Verhoeven’s camp and several promoters—or a mandatory defense against Agit Kabayel, the WBC challenger. Both parties have signaled willingness to negotiate, leaving the heavyweight division’s immediate future unresolved.

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