Fight of the Year between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven ended in round 11 after a contested referee's decision

The setting chosen for the fight between Usyk and Verhoeven was a special one, in Egypt, with the Pyramids of Giza in the background.

The Ukrainian, undefeated in his professional career, challenged only one of his belts, the WBC. A risky approach, but profitable from a financial point of view. A setback against a fighter inexperienced in boxing with skills adapted to MMA would have tarnished his exceptional career.

Oleksandr Usyk – Rico Verhoeven, clash near the Pyramids of Giza

No specialist considered this option. The only question mark they were asking was the round in which Rico would be knocked out.

The organizers had already won their battle. The entrances to the ring were epic. The two athletes wore clothes inspired by the history of Egypt. The pyramids were illuminated during this time by fireworks.

Bruce Buffer also made his count, the fight could begin.

Rico, with a clearly superior lunge, threw the first punch. He moved a lot, footwork that couldn't hold him for 12 rounds. In the first round, Usyk tried to take his rhythm and understand his moves, some unusual for professional boxing. The first half belonged to Verhoeven thanks to a right to the body.

Rico's strategy was the same in the second round. Head forward and constant steps towards Usyk in an attempt to get him in the corner. The champion's counters began to find the target.

Another hard punch seems to have woken Usyk up. The Ukrainian finished the half in form, the first combinations connected.

Round number 4 clearly belonged to Oleksandr. He read the distances correctly, Rico's chin had to “swallow” several powerful uppercuts.

Rico Verhoeven almost shocked the boxing world

Another uneventful round, just what those in Verhoeven's corner wanted to see.

Another 3 minutes in which the Dutchman escaped unharmed. The second half of the match was coming, the one in which the experts predicted that the energy of the newcomer to boxing would decrease.

Innings number 7, dominated by Verhoeven. “What's going on here?! Are we headed for the biggest surprise in history?” the fight commentators wondered.

The banter thickened, the odds for Rico's victory slimmed. Usyk only had 4 more rounds to come up with something and recover.

The murmurs of astonishment grew louder in round 10. Usyk understood that he would have to wear his opponent down to keep his record clean. And he rushed with everything he had in his record. For now, the colossus of Glory holds out.

With 19 seconds left in round number 11, Usyk floored Verhoeven. A right uppercut was decisive. With his gaze lost, the Dutchman went back to the corner and landed more blows. Exactly one second before the gong announced the end, the ring referee stopped the match. Decision fiercely contested by the losing team. He still held his arms up.

I think the match was stopped too early. The end was so close. There were two options. Either you let me fall or I end the round. But it's not up to me. I am grateful. It was an honest fight, naturally I would like a rematch. I was so close on the score sheets, naturally I regret it. But I'm happy because I had the chance to fight here. Thanks to Mr. Usyk for accepting this fight. I hope the boxing world now recognizes me as a boxer!

– Rico Verhoeven

What's next for Usyk? Two possible variants

Usyk's next fight was negotiated right in the ring. Rico Verhoeven he said he wants the rematch. The German was also there Agit Kabayel, “first in line”. He proposed a fight in Germany, in the stadium.

The Ukrainian says he is ready for either challenge: “Egypt, thank you. It's very important for me to be here. But right now, my people in Ukraine are being bombed. Now, my girl texted me that she loves me. And she's in a shelter. I love my team. Caterina, my wife, I love you. You're my heart!”

Rico, you are an incredible fighter. You have a great team. Let's do it, no problem. I am ready, the organizations must be understood”.

25 winsin 25 pro fights Oleksandr Usyk has in pro, 15 of them by KO