Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Rico Verhoeven in Controversial WBC Heavyweight Title Fight in Giza

On 23 May 2026, Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk faced Dutch kick‑boxing legend Rico Verhoeven for the WBC heavyweight title near the pyramids of Giza, Egypt. The bout, broadcast live on DAZN and streamed by Actualno.com, saw Verhoeven dominate the first ten rounds, landing more accurate punches and leading on points. In the 11th round Usyk scored a decisive knock‑down, followed by a flurry of strikes that prompted the referee to stop the round and award Usyk a controversial victory, allowing him to retain the belt while Verhoeven’s challenge fell short. After the decision, Usyk addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, expressing gratitude to supporters and urging attention to his country’s suffering. The fight marked a rare crossover between elite boxing and kick‑boxing, generating extensive discussion about the outcome and the athletes’ performances.