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!
Usyk vs Rico results
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Sheeraz vs Begic
A quality start from Sheeraz, who is much taller and bigger than Begic.
The Brit takes centre ring immediately and gets to work behind that stinging long jab.
He’s already going through the gears and looking several classes above, picking some spiteful punches.
Begic is being worked already to both head and body, walked down constantly.
A very ominous start for the German.
Sheeraz vs Begic
39-year-old Begic, from Munich, is currently ranked at No4 by the WBO and is their former European champion.
He is unbeaten at 29-0-1, but has his work seriously cut out tonight against Sheeraz, who, as manager Spencer Brown told DAZN earlier, is long overdue his first world title with some huge fights on the horizon.
Begic has never previously faced anyone close to Sheeraz’s quality.
Sheeraz was originally supposed to face Diego Pacheco for the vacant WBO belt, but the latter declined the opportunity.
Here we go...
Sheeraz takes on Begic for vacant WBO super-middleweight title
Right then, it’s time for Hamzah Sheeraz and the co-main event of the night in Egypt, where we are about an hour away now from Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven.
Slough’s Sheeraz is looking to become a world champion for the first time at the second attempt after missing out on the WBC middleweight title in agonising fashion with that draw against Carlos Adames in Riyadh last February in which he broke his hand early on.
He subsequently moved up to super-middleweight and knocked out Edgar Berlanga in stunning fashion in New York five months later.
He is the huge favourite against veteran German Alem Begic as he goes for the WBO super-middleweight belt that became vacant with the retirement of undisputed champion Terence Crawford following his sensational win over Canelo Alvarez.
All signs could be pointing towards Canelo vs Sheeraz in a big unification clash next if Sheeraz wins tonight and Canelo beats WBC champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh in September...
Catterall eyes Rolly Romero fight after brushing aside Giyasov
A typically humble and respectful post-fight interview from the ever-likable Catterall, who is over the moon with his dominant victory and the manner of it.
Catterall and promoter Eddie Hearn are now targeting that huge showdown with Rolly Romero next.
It sounds like talks will be underway soon...
Catterall dominates Giyasov to become WBA 'regular' welterweight champion
Here come those all-important judges’ scorecards...
118-109, 119-108, 116-111 - all in favour of Jack Catterall, who is the new WBA ‘regular’ welterweight champion.
Will he now be upgraded to the full title after Rolly Romero’s elevation to ‘super champion’ and retirement claim?
Catterall is now 33-2 and his prospects have just gone soaring up. And that was just his third fight up at 147lbs.
A first professional defeat for Giyasov, who falls to 17-1.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Giyasov ups the work rate again in the final round but it’s too little, too late as Catterall fends him off and lands a few more solid left hands for good measure.
The final bell sounds and there’s a triumphant roar from Catterall’s corner.
What a performance from El Gato - his best since that massively controversial defeat by Josh Taylor in 2022?
I had that 10-2 in terms of rounds, the first being a 10-8 with the early knockdown.
He should walk this on the cards to pick up the WBA’s ‘regular’ welterweight title.
Superb.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Jason Statham - a close friend of Rico Verhoeven’s who is credited with playing a key role in convincing Turki Alalshikh to put on tonight’s main event - looks as cool as ever in his shades at ringside.
He will be impressed by Catterall, though Giyasov has suddenly woken up at the end of the penultimate round as he begins to let his hands go and put El Gato under pressure.
He couldn’t, could he?
Three minutes left...
Catterall vs Giyasov
Giyasov is down again with seconds left in the 10th round but it’s ruled a slip, not a knockdown.
But it was another three minutes of fruitless toil for the 2016 Olympic silver medallist and former amateur world and Asian champion.
Catterall’s discipline and control is simply not wavering.
There is no way in for Giyasov, who unquestionably needs a late knockout here to avoid a first professional defeat.
Catterall vs Giyasov
It’s a much slower tempo now from Catterall, but it’s absolute control still and his jab is getting the job done nicely.
The television commentary team question if Giyasov is out of ideas, but in truth he never looked to have any after that knockdown within the first 90 seconds of round one.
He cannot figure out how to break down the tricky and tactical southpaw.
This is top-class stuff from Catterall, who has won eight out of nine rounds on my card.
Catterall vs Giyasov
Giyasov continues to absorb these damaging one-two combinations.
Catterall continues to completely control this fight as the rounds quickly tick away from a lacklustre and passive Giyasov.
Giyasov is still so bizarrely cautious and tentative, with no busyness or urgency at all.
Not trying to let his hands go despite being a country mile behind on the cards.