The Usyk vs Verhoeven result showed that this was more than just a sideshow. Another in an ever-growing list of crossover fights that most boxing fans don’t want to see.
It was a foregone conclusion. Usyk, a generational great — the greatest heavyweight southpaw of all time. Rico Verhoeven, whilst a great in kickboxing, having held his title for 4000 days, was just a kickboxer, with a sole win in boxing over Janos Finfera, who retired 0-6 twelve years ago.
Boxing fans uniformly rolled their eyes at the announcement of the fight. Sad that the greatest boxer on the planet, in the twilight of his career, was wasting his time with a crossover fight no one asked for.
Yet, last night changed everything.
A Twist No One Saw Coming
Under the tutelage of Peter Fury, Verhoeven wasn’t just competitive — he was, for many fight fans, controlling the fight en route to probably the biggest upset in boxing history. Boxrec’s fan scorecard currently stands at 98-92 for Verhoeven, giving Usyk only rounds four and ten.
I had Verhoeven reluctantly two points ahead, fearing my precious sport was about to descend into chaos as Usyk looked destined to be dethroned by a “novice.”
Then in the tenth, Usyk seemed to feel the pressure and began to turn the fight around. By the eleventh, Usyk finally landed the uppercut—his key success—and it began the end for Rico, who Usyk badly hurt.
The stoppage came shortly after with just seconds remaining and is what many felt was premature.
What the Usyk vs Verhoeven Result Means for Boxing
Social media erupted in the fierce debate that always follows a fight like this.
Has Usyk got old overnight? Is the extra weight indicative of a man ill-prepared? Was it just an off night?
Usyk certainly didn’t seem close to his best — he looked strangely lethargic, missing that crispness we’ve come to expect.
Peter Fury, speaking to PBC, said:
“The only thing that let Rico down tonight was ring experience, that’s it. It’s a new sport, he’s had a six-month training camp. He had to get that performance.
“When he first started there was no footwork, he was on the back leg, chin in the air. He was a kickboxer. To do what he’s done, that transformation — it’s incredible.”
Are we too quick to find reasons why Usyk looked off, or should the credit go to Verhoeven — his unorthodox stance, his immense physicality and pressure?
What next? After the Usyk vs Verhoeven result, should Usyk give the immediate rematch, or will Kabayel finally get his long-overdue shot at the king?
