Oleksandr Usyk, an unbeaten heavyweight world champion, stopped Rico Verhoeven with one second remaining in the penultimate round of a WBC title fight at the Pyramids of Giza. The bout was widely viewed as a mismatch, but Verhoeven, coming from a long gap since his last professional boxing fight, started strongly and repeatedly troubled Usyk with a jerky style, bulldozing aggression, and a powerful right hand. Usyk appeared sluggish for much of the fight and did not assert control until late. In the 11th round, Usyk dropped Verhoeven with a right hand, then attacked as Verhoeven beat the count shortly before the bell. The referee waved the fight off with very little time left, creating controversy. Verhoeven said the stoppage seemed early but accepted it was not his decision.
"As the rounds ticked down everyone waited for Usyk to assert his superiority, but that did not come until the end of the 11th. A plush right hand sent Verhoeven down and through the ropes. Once he was up, Usyk unleashed a barrage. His opponent looked like he would be saved by the bell, until the referee intervened."
Read at www.theguardian.com
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