Usyk vs Rico LIVE!
Oleksandr Usyk just about navigated a major scare against Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Saturday night. Unified world heavyweight champion Usyk looked in serious danger of falling victim to what would have been one of the biggest upsets in sporting history against a kickboxing legend whose only previous professional boxing bout came 12 years ago. The pound-for-pound No1 really struggled against the impressive Verhoeven, who most onlookers thought was winning the fight heading into the late stages.
However, Usyk rallied crucially late in round 11 to send Verhoeven down with an uppercut before his subsequent follow-up pressure then told as referee Mark Lyson stepped in with a stoppage that was officially timed with just one second remaining in the round, leaving Verhoeven and his team furious at what they considered a premature intervention in the circumstances.
Hamzah Sheeraz brushed aside Alem Begic to collect the vacant WBO super-middleweight title after Jack Catterall picked up the WBA ‘regular’ welterweight crown by dominating Shakhram Giyasov. Frank Sanchez knocked out Richard Torrez Jr in an IBF heavyweight title eliminator after Mizuki Hiruta’s latest successful defence and a surprise loss for Daniel Lapin. Follow Usyk vs Rico as it happened below!
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Usyk vs Rico
I just cannot fathom what is unfolding here.
Enormous credit to Verhoeven, who continues to rattle Usyk with some huge right hands.
Usyk still looks stunned by his approach and just cannot work out how to break him down.
If he was banking on Verhoeven running out of steam, it doesn’t look like happening any time soon.
Just incredible.
Usyk vs Rico
Another round in the bag for Verhoeven! This is utterly remarkable.
He remains far more busy, energetic and aggressive, rattling Usyk with those solid single shots.
Usyk looks so tired and his usual technical brilliance, sky-high ring IQ and dazzling footwork and movement is totally deserting him at the moment.
Only five rounds to go...
Usyk vs Rico
Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine has Verhoeven 5-1 up through six rounds, as do many people on social media.
I think it’s closer than that, but still - this is incredible from the kickboxing icon.
Usyk has to get a hold of himself here.
Usyk vs Rico
This is so, so un-Usyk like at the moment and he should be down on the judges’ scorecards at the halfway stage.
He is looking ponderous and lethargic, unusually gun-shy and slow.
Verhoeven remains busier and more energetic. His conditioning is excellent.
Could he really do this?!
Usyk vs Rico
A really competitive fifth round as both men have pockets of success.
Verhoeven is not tiring here and showing an excellent engine after establishing that high tempo from the outset.
Usyk is not as busy and active as usual, he looks a step slow still - is it the extra weight?
I think he still edged that round, but this remains an extremely close contest.
And who expected that?
Usyk vs Rico
Usyk springs into life in the fourth, suddenly flipping a switch and rocking Verhoeven with some punishing shots in the middle of the ring including a shuddering, swinging left uppercut that was bang on the money.
Verhoeven’s legs look a little unsteady.
But he rides it out to his credit and again tries to fight fire with fire, throwing those big right hands.
A clear Usyk round.
Usyk vs Rico
I think Usyk has been taken by surprise by this early aggression from Verhoeven.
But he shouldn’t have been - it always felt like the longer this fight went on, the less chance the kickboxer had.
Verhoeven continues to close the gap easily and hit Usyk on the inside. There is some real power on these shots and they are landing.
Usyk unleashes a lovely right hand, but back comes Verhoeven quickly as he continues to sustain this impressive early pace.
Whisper it quietly, but is it 3-0 to the kickboxer?! I would give the second to Usyk, but Verhoeven must be ahead to this point, which is a headline in itself.
Usyk vs Rico
This has been rather uncomfortable for Usyk early on and he’s yet to really get going.
Verhoeven is the obvious aggressor, crucially staying on the move and applying pressure on Usyk, hoping to land that thudding right hand to body and head.
Usyk cracks Verhoeven with a fizzing uppercut and the Dutchman tries to respond straightaway, fighting fire with fire.
He’s not hurting Usyk, but he’s looking to pressure him wherever possible and swing in those powerful blows at close range.
Usyk has looked a step slow so far, but he landed some good shots of his own in that close round.
Usyk vs Rico
Usyk starts to go to work behind that jab before he’s rushed by the hulking Verhoeven, who gets him against the ropes with a rattling right upstairs.
This has been an impressive start by the kickboxer, who digs Usyk hard to the body with another fierce right hand.
He’s taken that opening round. He’ll be thrilled with that.
Usyk vs Rico
Here we go!
Will this be the easiest night’s work of Usyk’s illustrious career, or are we on for one of the biggest upsets of all time?
Time to find out.
An early right hand lands from Verhoeven...