On Sunday night in Giza, Egypt, a high-profile fight took place between the Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk and a Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, which ended with Usyk's victory by technical knockout in the 11th round.
Hard fight under the pyramids: how Usyk turned the tide of the fight
The fight took place against the backdrop of the Giza pyramids and attracted thousands of spectators. From the very first seconds, it became clear that both athletes were very aggressive. Verkhovna Rada relied on physical strength and constant pressure, while Usyk traditionally worked with speed, movement and accurate series of punches.
The first rounds were an evenly contested affair. The Dutchman repeatedly pinned the Ukrainian near the ropes, forcing him to work as a second fighter. However, closer to the middle of the fight, Usyk began to seize the initiative - his jabs and body punches were more and more frequent.
In the ninth round, Verkhoven missed a heavy left body shot, after which he slowed down significantly. Despite his fatigue, he continued to fight and even tried to respond with series in the championship rounds.
The denouement came in the 11th round. After a long combination Oleksandr Usyk knocked his opponent down. Verkhoven got up, but the referee decided to stop the fight due to the boxer's inability to fully defend himself.
After the fight, Usyk thanked the fans and called it one of the hardest fights of his career.
«Rico is a very strong and uncomfortable opponent. It was a real challenge,» said the Ukrainian after the victory.
For Usyk, this victory was another confirmation of his status as one of the best boxers of our time, while Verkhoven, despite the defeat, demonstrated character and endurance, earning the respect of fans around the world.
