Oleksandr Usyk defends his WBC heavyweight title tonight in one of the strangest championship fights in modern boxing history, as the undefeated Ukrainian faces kickboxing great Rico Verhoeven beneath the Pyramids of Giza.
Usyk enters the bout unbeaten in 24 professional fights and widely regarded as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best following double victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. Verhoeven, meanwhile, is considered one of the greatest heavyweight kickboxers of all time, but has had just one previous professional boxing bout at a much lower level before tonight’s extraordinary opportunity.
The fight has generated huge debate across combat sports, particularly after the WBC elected to sanction its heavyweight title for the contest despite Verhoeven’s lack of elite boxing experience. An upset would rank among the biggest the heavyweight division has ever seen.
Stay with Boxing News for a live scorecard and final fight report.
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven live scorecard
This is a Boxing News live scorecard and not the official score from the judges.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usyk | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 93 |
| Verhoeven | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 97 |
Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven fight result
Usyk TKO 11. Oleksandr Usyk just found himself in the fight of his life. Verhoeven’s pressure and aggression won him the majority of the fight, and incredibly left the Ukrainian in need of a stoppage to win. Dialling up the aggression, finally, in the championship rounds, Usyk landed an uppercut as Verhoeven ducked, and the Dutchman was dropped through the ropes. He bought some time and fought on, but referee Mark Lyson controversially stopped it during a barrage at 2:59 of the round, Verhoeven on the ropes and looking close to going down again, but, crucially, on his feet. Incredible credit goes to Verhoeven, who was one round away from causing one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport. Usyk got out of jail, but looked far from his best and, if he prepared to his fullest, may now seriously consider retirement at 39.
