Oleksandr Usyk beat Rico Verhoeven in controversial fashion on Saturday, avoiding one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.
Verhoeven, an icon of the kickboxing world, was boxing professionally for just the second time as he challenged Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title – at the pyramids of Giza, no less.
And Verhoeven was arguably on track for a remarkable result, seemingly ahead on points as the 11th round – the penultimate frame – arrived. But it was at that moment that he walked onto an uppercut in the corner, which dropped him to his knees.
Verhoeven beat the referee’s count and was given extra time to recover as his mouthguard was put back in, but when Usyk swarmed the Dutchman with more offence on the ropes, the official waved off the bout as the bell sounded.
Many will have felt that the referee should have let the round finish, while others will argue that Verhoeven was already given extra time to recover from the knockdown.
In any case, the result saw Usyk, 39, maintain his unbeaten record, retain the WBC belt, and avoid a historic upset in Egypt.
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