Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight title in opposition to GLORY’s longest-reigning heavyweight kickboxing champion, Rico Verhoeven, tonight on the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
The championship bout is scheduled for 12 rounds, and if Verhoeven manages to dethrone Usyk, he’ll change into the brand new WBC heavyweight champion.
Alternatively, if Usyk wins, the combat will depend as a profitable defence of his WBC title. Nevertheless, reviews recommend that whereas Usyk’s IBF and WBA belts are connected to tonight’s occasion, Verhoeven can’t win these titles as a result of he’s an unranked challenger. Therefore, these belts will probably be declared vacant if boxing’s pound-for-pound king suffers a loss.
Allow us to witness how this crossover combat between two legends performs out.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven: Spherical-by-round updates
Spherical 1
As the gang chants Rico, Verhoeven stuns Oleksandr Usyk with heavy physique pictures and a clear punch to the face that seems to shake the champion. Verhoeven clearly takes Spherical 1. Usyk begins gradual and appears affected person for the time being.
Spherical 2
Oleksandr Usyk has began to respect Rico Verhoeven’s energy. In Spherical 2, the kickboxing legend dominates as soon as once more. Rico appears sharp, energetic, and clearly has higher output and accuracy to this point. Can the Dutchman preserve this tempo over the remaining 10 rounds and proceed forcing the champion onto the again foot?
Spherical 3
A greater spherical for the champ, however Verhoeven just isn’t slowing down anytime quickly. He ate a number of massive pictures within the third stanza but additionally landed some terrific mixtures. Is Usyk ready for “King of Kickboxing” to decelerate?
Spherical 4
A significantly better spherical for Oleksandr Usyk. He goes all out, however these clear pictures are nonetheless not sufficient to stun and decelerate Rico Verhoeven simply but.
Spherical 5
One other robust spherical for Rico Verhoeven, who’s smelling blood. Each time he stuns Oleksandr Usyk, he instantly appears for the end. Usyk, however, stays affected person and composed regardless of the stress.
Spherical 6
“King of Kickboxing” nonetheless has extra output, higher mixtures, fixed motion, and isn’t gassing out simply but. Verhoeven steals one other spherical with ease.
Spherical 7
One other spherical for Verhoeven, as Usyk, even after 7 rounds, finds it arduous to handle distance and determine the vary. In the meantime, the 37-year-old continues to impress together with his cardio and relentless pictures to Oleksandr Usyk’s physique and face, with one brutal punch almost sending the champion stumbling.
Spherical 8
The 39-year-old Ukrainian ends Spherical 8 on a excessive notice and is now exhibiting urgency. Verhoeven, however, received’t decelerate tonight. Retains it within the entrance foot, eats a number of massive pictures, however doesn’t cease touchdown the larger ones.
Spherical 9
“King of Kickboxing” with one other dominant spherical. Usyk modifications stances, however that doesn’t assist him as Verhoeven retains dismantling him with liver pictures and crushing mixtures.
Spherical 10
Oleksandr Usyk has no reply to Rico Verhoeven’s recreation for the time being. Usyk seems to be gassing out fully. Within the remaining seconds of Spherical 10, he tries to show the tide in his favour, pushing Rico Verhoeven onto the again foot with a slick, explosive mixture, however was that sufficient to pocket this spherical?
Spherical 11
Rico Verhoeven will get knocked down by Oleksandr Usyk. Simply as Verhoeven manages to beat the depend and the bout resumes, Usyk wastes no time and goes for the final kill.
Official resolution: Oleksandr Usyk defeats Rico Verhoeven by TKO in Spherical 11.
