Oleksandr Usyk remained undefeated, however not with out some controversy as a controversial referee stoppage ended Rico Verhoeven’s probabilities of pulling off the largest upset in boxing historical past.
Boxing scorecards aren’t at all times essentially the most dependable, however via 10 rounds, Verhoeven not solely confirmed he deserved to be within the ring with Usyk, however he had an excellent probability of successful the combat. Nonetheless, Verhoeven beat Usyk spherical after spherical and seemed able to shock the world because the combat moved into the ultimate two rounds.
Nonetheless, Verhoeven’s aggressiveness value him within the Eleventh spherical after he charged ahead and Usyk beat him with a nasty uppercut. This prompted Verhoeven to fall to the canvas, however he obtained again up because the bout resumed because the spherical progressed.
Usyk started throwing punches for the kill, however Verhoeven was nonetheless on his ft when the referee stepped between them and stopped the combat. Verhoeven’s coaches instantly protested, however the official TKO time was 2 minutes, 59 seconds within the Eleventh spherical, and the combat was already over.
“Rico, you are a fantastic fighter,” Usyk mentioned after the win. “My group, I really like you. You’re the greatest. This match was tough. Good combat. I used to be simply boxing. My proper uppercut, bomb, thank God.”
For a fighter competing in solely his second skilled boxing bout, going that far may very well be thought-about a victory, however Verheeven was one spherical away from turning into the heavyweight champion earlier than the referee stopped him. Verhoeven was poised for a rematch after such a efficiency, however was understandably distraught on the consequence of the combat.
“In fact I assumed it was an early break, however on the finish of the day it is lower than me,” Verhoeven mentioned. “Nonetheless, I assumed (it was) somewhat early. I feel the referee is aware of we’re getting near the tip of the spherical. That is whether or not he will put me on the defend or let the bell go. That is what I assumed. However like I mentioned, it is lower than me.”
“Do not cease me. It was so shut that I missed out on the defend or let me go to No. 12. I used to be shut and it was just about even on the scorecards. At the very least that is what it felt like. However like I mentioned, I am very proud and I am very grateful. All of us wrote historical past tonight.”
Instantly after the match, Turki Alarcik known as for a rematch in hopes of selling the combat in Verhoeven’s residence nation of the Netherlands. It’s clear that Verhoeven is towards the concept, however he’s conscious that he doesn’t have the ultimate say.
“(The rematch) does not concern me,” Verhoeven mentioned. “I am already very grateful for the chance that Usyk took for this combat. It is lower than me, it is as much as the group, so we’ll see what occurs.”
Verhoeven confirmed a whole lot of motion early on, and he began the combat with a straight proper whereas Usyk focused him with a lead jab. Verhoeven landed one other onerous proper to the physique, staying on his ft and staying very energetic.
Usyk obtained busy within the second spherical, however Verhoeven was nonetheless seeking to transfer ahead and benefit from his measurement benefit over the heavyweight champion. The assault left Verhoeven with a tough uppercut from Usyk, however he was not afraid to proceed attacking and leaning into the Russian. Most likely attempting to tire him out.
Whereas Verhoeven was repeatedly throwing a number of punch combos, Usyk, who often solely landed one punch at a time, lastly began to search out his vary.
By the point the combat moved into the fourth spherical, Usyk began throwing severe punches and going after Verhoeven. Usyk was headhunting for a knockout, however simply because it seemed like he was going to take over, Verhoeven knocked Usyk away with a vicious proper hand of his personal.
Verhoeven continued to assault, touchdown punches to the physique and head that put Usyk on the again foot. Usyk fought again with a lead jab and tried to discover a residence for his highly effective left hand.
The truth that Verhoeven not solely survived, however truly beat Usyk in a number of rounds was a shock to simply about everybody. Nonetheless, Verhoeven exuded immense confidence as he continued to have interaction Usyk, who seemed to search out a gap to actually damage the previous GLORY kickboxing champion.
At one level, Usyk rapidly modified his stance and instantly fell into a tough proper hand from Verhoeven, catching him cleanly on the jaw. Verhoeven continues to chip away, hitting Usyk with a proper to the physique within the final minute, then a nasty proper to the pinnacle that snaps him again.
Within the ninth spherical, Verhoeven was pulling Usyk again, throwing punches and touchdown some brutal pictures to the physique. Verhoeven stepped into a mix, landed a number of punches, then used his massive measurement benefit to clinch and lean into Usyk.
Verhoeven confirmed no concern within the combat, relentlessly plowing Usyk with superior energy and method. Usyk got here again to life as time wore on within the tenth spherical and went after Verhoeven in earnest, however was caught with one other onerous proper hand simply earlier than the bell rang.
As Usyk grew to become extra energetic, Usyk began to discover a place for his punches, however Verhoeven stored countering him and his greatest punches nonetheless linked within the body.
Within the combat towards the ropes, Usyk threw the most effective punch of the combat, touchdown an uppercut that despatched Verhoeven crashing to the canvas. As Verhoeven rose to his ft, Usyk once more attacked with a barrage, however many had been blocked.
That was sufficient for the referee to cease the combat and award Usyk the Eleventh-round TKO win.
The controversial ending will possible hang-out this end result, but it surely might result in a rematch with Usyk sooner or later, inviting Verhoeven. Contemplating how nicely Verhoeven pulls off jaw-dropping upsets, something appears doable.
