Oleksandr Usyk Wins with Controversial TKO

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven by TKO at the 2:59 mark of Round 11, defending his WBC heavyweight title.

What happened?

The fight was a crossover match between boxing and kickboxing, with Verhoeven, a Glory Kickboxing heavyweight champion, having only one professional boxing match prior. Oleksandr Usyk was a -2000 betting favorite, but Verhoeven put on a great performance, connecting many clean shots and pushing the pace.

Why it matters for Oleksandr Usyk

The win maintained Usyk's undefeated status at 25-0, with 25 wins and no losses, solidifying his position as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters. The Ukrainian has been the unified heavyweight champion since 2025, holding the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO, and heavyweight titles.

What comes next?

The controversy surrounding the stoppage may lead to a rematch, with Verhoeven protesting the referee's decision to wave off the fight with one second left in the round. And the win may set up a future fight against other top heavyweights, with Usyk looking to continue his undefeated streak. Oleksandr Usyk's next move will be closely watched, as he looks to defend his titles and maintain his position as the best heavyweight today. The fight was streamed on pay-per-view on DAZN, with the commentators and many online having Verhoeven up on the scorecards before the stoppage. But the referee's decision stood, giving Usyk the win and maintaining his undefeated status. So the question now is what's next for Oleksandr Usyk, as he looks to continue his successful career. The answer will have to wait, as Usyk celebrates his win and looks to his next title defense.