Usyk retains heavyweight titles with controversial late stoppage of Verhoeven

Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk retained his world heavyweight titles in a dramatic and controversial bout against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 24, 2026. The fight ended with a technical knockout just one second before the end of the 11th round, after Usyk dropped his opponent in the penultimate round.

The spectacular encounter took place in Egypt in the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza, featuring an unusual matchup between the reigning boxing world champion and one of the world's most successful kickboxers. Verhoeven, primarily known for his achievements in kickboxing, ventured into the world of professional boxing for this high-profile crossover bout.

For much of the fight, it appeared that Verhoeven might pull off one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history. The Dutchman gave the Ukrainian champion significant problems throughout the contest and seemed to be leading on the scorecards. Particularly noteworthy was Verhoeven's ability to rock Usyk during the fight, demonstrating that the crossover competitor posed a genuine threat to the established champion.

The turning point came in the final seconds of the penultimate round. Usyk, known for his technical brilliance and endurance, found an opening in Verhoeven's defense and dropped the Dutchman. The referee then decided to stop the fight, despite only one second remaining on the clock.

This decision immediately sparked controversy. Verhoeven himself expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the stoppage, telling DAZN after the fight: "I thought it was an early stoppage but in the end it's not up to me." His statement reflects the debate that has emerged in boxing circles about the appropriateness of the referee's decision.

For Usyk, the victory represents a successful defense of his heavyweight titles, including the WBC belt. The Ukrainian remains unbeaten and solidifies his position as one of the dominant heavyweights of the current era. However, the fight also demonstrated that even world-class boxers can face unexpected challenges when competing against fighters from other combat sports disciplines.

The bout was part of a growing trend of crossover fights between different combat sports. Such encounters often attract significant attention as they raise questions about which martial art or fighter is superior. Verhoeven's strong performance against an established boxing world champion is likely to fuel further discussions about the boundaries between different combat sports disciplines.

The staging of the fight in Egypt also underscores the global reach of professional boxing and efforts to establish major fights in various markets. The historic backdrop of the Giza pyramids lent additional symbolic weight and media attention to the event.

Despite his victory, Usyk will be aware that his performance has raised questions. A kickboxer transitioning to boxing should theoretically not pose a serious threat to a world champion. The fact that Verhoeven was competitive for much of the fight and appeared to be leading may encourage Usyk's future opponents.

The controversial nature of the stoppage adds another layer to the story. While Usyk ultimately prevailed, the manner of victory leaves room for debate about what might have happened if the fight had continued. Verhoeven's competitive showing suggests that the gap between elite practitioners of different combat sports may be narrower than traditionally assumed.

This fight will likely be remembered as much for the controversy surrounding its conclusion as for Usyk's successful title defense. The Ukrainian champion maintains his unbeaten record and his position atop the heavyweight division, but questions about his vulnerability may linger as he prepares for future challenges in what remains one of boxing's most competitive weight classes.