WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk scored a controversial technical knockout (TKO) over Rico Verhoeven to retain his title at the Giza Pyramids, Egypt.
From the opening round, the fight was fast-paced and packed with surprises. Verhoeven, best known as a kickboxing legend, appeared confident against one of the world's best boxers today.
The Dutch fighter displayed composure and discipline in implementing a strategy that made the fight more competitive. For nearly 11 rounds, Verhoeven fought flawlessly, making Usyk look ordinary and leading by a significant margin on points.
Verhoeven displayed discipline, maintaining a rhythmic attack, and utilizing his reach and movement effectively. Meanwhile, Usyk, known for his superior technical ability and match-reading acumen, struggled to find an opening to dominate the bout.
Verhoeven also managed to break Usyk's rhythm several times through a combination of fast strikes and effective footwork. This strategy made it difficult for the world champion to develop his signature fighting style.
