📂 Categoría: Boxing | 📅 Fecha: 1779591325
🔍 En este artículo:
Rico Verhoeven was ever so close to pulling off the greatest upset of all-time against Oleksandr Usyk.
The Dutchman came into the clash as a mammoth underdog against the unified champion Usyk in a historic event at the pyramids in Egypt.
It was just his second fight ever in the traditional sweet science, and many believed he needed a miracle to become the first to beat the squared circle great.
But he put on one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking displays in modern memory and came ever so close to defying the odds.
Although he was stopped in a contentious and controversial decision which has subsequently divided the boxing world.
Many of the public had the Ukrainian far down on their own scorecards, as he came dangerously close to a first-ever loss.
And the official judges’ verdicts have been released, and show they had it very even, but narrowly in Verhoeven’s favour.
Usyk vs Verhoeven – the full scorecards
Verhoeven made a bright start in the opening two rounds and for the vast majority of the first half of the fight.
He was rewarded for the maiden two periods, but the tide started to turn for the three judges who scored Usyk surprisingly ahead at the fifth.
By the tenth round, the final round that made it on to the judges tallies, it was ever so close.
The kickboxing icon was judged to only be even on two of the scorecards despite his overwhelming success, with two scores reading at 95-95.
However judge Pascale Precupio had Verhoeven as a 96-94 winner before he was stopped in the penultimate stanza.
That would have seen the historic upset still been a possibility going into the championship round.
But of course the eleventh period would have almost certainly have been a 10-8 round on every card in the favourite’s favour.
As a result, he would have likely needed a big final period, despite being extremely fatigued, to have followed through and secured the mammoth shock.
Luckily it didn’t go down to what would have been a dividing announcement of the final verdicts.
But it was unfortunate for the spirited challenger, who blazed through a trail to prove that anyone can try and accomplish anything.
Verhoeven – I was unlucky it was an early stoppage
Of course, for the former GLORY champion, it wasn’t to be despite having his fingertips on more generational greatness in a new discipline.
And the combat sports icon believes he had more to give in the final round, and should even have been left to his own devices until the concluding three minutes.
He said in frustrated closing remarks: “Yeah, of course, I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end, it’s not up to me,” Verhoeven, who was one round away from potentially one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, said.
“But still, I thought it was a little bit early. I thought the referee knew that we’re nearly at the end of the round.
“So let me go out on my shield or let the bell go.
“But it’s not up to me, and I was already super thankful for the opportunity.”
Turki Alalshikh, after campaigning and financing the successful event, may now look to run it back.
He has already declared a sequel is on his radar and makes sense for 2027.
But it may have to wait until his planned bout with Agit Kabayel.
Watch Boxing on DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue
Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.
Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.
Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.
Rico Verhoeven was ever so close to pulling off the greatest upset of all-time against Oleksandr Usyk.
The Dutchman came into the clash as a mammoth underdog against the unified champion Usyk in a historic event at the pyramids in Egypt.
It was just his second fight ever in the traditional sweet science, and many believed he needed a miracle to become the first to beat the squared circle great.
But he put on one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking displays in modern memory and came ever so close to defying the odds.
Although he was stopped in a contentious and controversial decision which has subsequently divided the boxing world.
Many of the public had the Ukrainian far down on their own scorecards, as he came dangerously close to a first-ever loss.
And the official judges’ verdicts have been released, and show they had it very even, but narrowly in Verhoeven’s favour.
Usyk vs Verhoeven – the full scorecards
Verhoeven made a bright start in the opening two rounds and for the vast majority of the first half of the fight.
He was rewarded for the maiden two periods, but the tide started to turn for the three judges who scored Usyk surprisingly ahead at the fifth.
By the tenth round, the final round that made it on to the judges tallies, it was ever so close.
The kickboxing icon was judged to only be even on two of the scorecards despite his overwhelming success, with two scores reading at 95-95.
However judge Pascale Precupio had Verhoeven as a 96-94 winner before he was stopped in the penultimate stanza.
That would have seen the historic upset still been a possibility going into the championship round.
But of course the eleventh period would have almost certainly have been a 10-8 round on every card in the favourite’s favour.
As a result, he would have likely needed a big final period, despite being extremely fatigued, to have followed through and secured the mammoth shock.
Luckily it didn’t go down to what would have been a dividing announcement of the final verdicts.
But it was unfortunate for the spirited challenger, who blazed through a trail to prove that anyone can try and accomplish anything.
Verhoeven – I was unlucky it was an early stoppage
Of course, for the former GLORY champion, it wasn’t to be despite having his fingertips on more generational greatness in a new discipline.
And the combat sports icon believes he had more to give in the final round, and should even have been left to his own devices until the concluding three minutes.
He said in frustrated closing remarks: “Yeah, of course, I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end, it’s not up to me,” Verhoeven, who was one round away from potentially one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, said.
“But still, I thought it was a little bit early. I thought the referee knew that we’re nearly at the end of the round.
“So let me go out on my shield or let the bell go.
“But it’s not up to me, and I was already super thankful for the opportunity.”
Turki Alalshikh, after campaigning and financing the successful event, may now look to run it back.
He has already declared a sequel is on his radar and makes sense for 2027.
But it may have to wait until his planned bout with Agit Kabayel.
Watch Boxing on DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue
Sign up to DAZN to access the definitive subscription for boxing fans.
Upgrade to DAZN Ultimate from just £24.99/month, guaranteeing access to 185+ fights annually, a minimum of 12 pay-per-views at no extra cost, as well as every Lega Serie A match and other elite football access.
Alternatively, DAZN Standard is just £15.99/month, with the caveat you will have to pay for pay-per-view events.
💡 Puntos Clave
- Este artículo cubre aspectos importantes sobre Boxing
- Información verificada y traducida de fuente confiable
- Contenido actualizado y relevante para nuestra audiencia
📚 Información de la Fuente
| 📰 Publicación: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Ben Davies |
| 📅 Fecha Original: | 2026-05-23 23:50:00 |
| 🔗 Enlace: | Ver artículo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artículo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglés al español para facilitar su comprensión. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
📬 ¿Te gustó este artículo?
Tu opinión es importante para nosotros. Comparte tus comentarios o suscríbete para recibir más contenido histórico de calidad.
