1 week ago
Oleksandr Usyk, Ukraine’s unbeaten heavyweight world champion, stopped nan Dutch erstwhile kickboxer Rico Verhoeven pinch 1 2nd remaining successful nan penultimate information to debar what would person been 1 of nan top boxing upsets of each clip connected Saturday.
The WBC title conflict astatine nan Pyramids of Giza was considered a mismatch but Verhoeven, whose sole erstwhile master boxing conflict was 12 years ago, tore up nan book successful mind-boggling manner from nan opening doorbell and had looked group to win.
Until nan arguable stoppage, he had proved to beryllium much than a tricky competitor and gave Usyk a immense scare. His jerky style, bulldozing aggression and powerful correct manus had troubled a sluggish-looking Usyk for astir of nan fight.
In a chaotic ending, Usyk dropped nan challenger precocious successful nan 11th information and nan referee waved it disconnected aft Usyk pounced erstwhile Verhoeven hit nan count soon earlier nan bell.
With truthful small clip near successful nan round, it seemed a hugely arguable telephone from nan referee. “I thought it was an early stoppage, but successful nan extremity it’s not up to me,” Verhoeven said moments later while still successful nan ring.
He had started well, landing a mates of vicious correct hands successful nan opening round. Usyk struggled to find his scope and, though he had a bully 4th round, rocking Verhoeven pinch an uppercut, he seemed to beryllium losing astir of nan early rounds.
As nan rounds ticked down everyone waited for Usyk to asseverate his superiority, but that did not travel until nan extremity of nan 11th.
A plush correct manus sent Verhoeven down and done nan ropes. Once he was up, Usyk unleashed a barrage. His force looked for illustration he would beryllium saved by nan bell, until nan referee intervened.
