In a highly anticipated bout at the Pyramids in Giza, Egypt, Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his WBC heavyweight titles against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven. While Verhoeven, in only his second professional boxing match, showed impressive resilience and dominated many of the early rounds, Usyk secured a TKO victory in the 11th round. Despite a knockdown in the final stanza, Verhoeven beat the count, but Usyk capitalized to secure the win, a stoppage some considered premature. Had Verhoeven survived the round, he would have likely needed a knockout in the final round to claim the upset victory. Usyk has already agreed to a rematch with Verhoeven.
Main Card Results
- Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven via TKO in Round 11, retaining his Ring and WBC heavyweight titles.
- Hamzah Sheeraz defeated Alem Begic via KO in Round 2, becoming the WBO super middleweight world champion.
- Jack Catterall defeated Shakhram Giyasov via unanimous decision.
- Frank Sanchez defeated Richard Torrez Jr. via KO in Round 2.
- Mizuki Hiruta defeated Mai Soliman via unanimous decision, retaining her Ring and WBO junior bantamweight titles.
- Benjamin Mendes Tani defeated Daniel Lapin via TKO in Round 4.
Prelims
- Jamar Talley defeated Basem Mamdouh via KO in Round 2.
- Sultan Almohammed defeated Dedy Imprax via KO in Round 1.
- Mohamed Mabrouk Yehya defeated Ali Sserunkuma via unanimous decision.
- Omar Hikal defeated Michael Kalyalya via KO in Round 3.