Usyk vs. Rico live updates, round-by-round analysis
Live from the Giza Necropolis, Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven are set to square off for the WBC heavyweight championship.
With the Great Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx sitting courtside, two accomplished fighters will slug it out. Usyk, holder of an unblemished 24-0 record, tests his mettle against Verhoeven, the equivalent of a pharaoh in the kickboxing world.
Keep refreshing this page for live updates and round-by-round analysis of the Usyk vs. Rico showdown.
Final Thoughts
I feel really, really bad for Rico.
His body of work on this evening showed that he was better prepared for this fight, which is highly doubtful to make it to Usyk’s highlight reel when it’s all said and done. Verhoeven was no one-round fluke: He constantly cut off Usyk’s angles, stayed on his toes and bobbed his head in a beautiful display of defense, and stayed busy with his jabs and body shots.
Without a doubt, the most resounding punch of the fight was Usyk’s right uppercut in Round 11. The thing is, that referee stoppage at the very end of the round was unnecessary intervention that disallowed both fighters to write a finale on their own terms. As Verhoeven put it in his post-fight interview, he would have wanted to “go out on his shield.”
If there’s any silver lining here, it’s the fact that Usyk might want to score a more decisive win instead of riding off into the sunset with this questionable outcome. Could the champ add an extra leg to his retirement tour, which could include dates with Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury?
Verhoeven proved that the boxing ring is as much a home to him as Usyk. For my money, he deserves a rematch. Make it happen, Your Excellency.
That’s a wrap for ALL-STAR’s live coverage of Usyk vs. Rico! Tune in next week for our round-by-round analysis of Bivol vs. Eifert.
Post-Fight Bedlam
It’s utter chaos in the ring after the fight. Turki Alalshikh is calling for an Usyk vs. Rico rematch. Agit Kabayel wants to be next in line for Usyk, who previously laid out a three-fight plan to cap off his career without Kabayel figuring in his plans. Now, Usyk just shook hands with Kabayel and said, “Let’s do it.” What is going on?
At one point, Usyk says that he can take on both Rico and Kabayel. Not at the same time, surely?
I wouldn’t say that this should have been an e-mail, but this should have definitely been a video chat that took place away from the eyes of the public. But hey, gotta make those moments viral, yes?
Is “Stolen” a Strong Word?
I’ve heard of pyramids being ransacked. Did the referee steal a win (or, perhaps, a moment) on this evening in Egypt?
Still Trying to Wrap My Head Around This
Analyst Michael Coppinger is criticizing the referee for a bad stoppage. According to Coppinger, the referee might as well have allowed the fighters to compete in the final round and Usyk might have stopped Verhoeven there anyways. I agree!
I’m not sure how happy Usyk is with this victory. Talk about an asterisk.
Did I expect Verhoeven to outbox Usyk for most of the fight? Nope. Did I anticipate the referee stopping the fight after he allowed Verhoeven to have time to put on his mouthpiece? Double nope. Didn’t make sense, to be honest.
Still, the record boooks will show that Usyk picked up his 25th win on May 23, 2026.
Round 11: Usyk vs. Rico
Verhoeven is showing signs of running out of gas. His punches aren’t landing as cleanly as they were in the earlier rounds, but Usyk needs to get busier. Right on cue, Usyk throws a combination, but it barely connects. BIG UPPERCUT BY USYK! Just what the doctor ordered. Verhoeven gets knocked down, ladies and gentlemen.
AND USYK HAS WON IT! Wowwww. That’s the championship experience right there. Verhoeven was so close.
Round 10: Usyk vs. Rico
I may have underestimated Verhoeven’s reach advantage. It’s obvious that his wing span has Usyk second-guessing himself. Verhoeven has been consistent with those body blows, and he’s connecting to Usyk’s face as well. I hear the semblance of boos from the crowd, and Usyk momentarily perks them up. But that’s the thing: His volume is momentary. Verhoeven takes this round 10-9, but it was extremely close.
Round 9: Usyk vs. Rico
Now, it’s Usyk who desperately needs to make a good impression on the judges. Rico lets off another nice flurry that just stuns Usyk. Feels like every time Usyk throws punches, Verhoeven is a mile away. Verhoeven lands a right uppercut to once again stop Usyk’s momentum. Or, what little momentum he had. Verhoeven is literally walking circles around the champ! I’m starting to see the click-baiters now: Did Usyk throw the fight? Sadly, I can’t exactly blame them for coming up with that. Verhoeven 10-9 for this round.
Round 8: Usyk vs. Rico
Verhoeven continues to land that right hand. The commentators are wondering when Usyk will flip on the switch, and I’m wondering the same thing. It’s Verhoeven staying patient, finding openings, and moving out of the way deftly after landing blows, while it’s Usyk who (quite frankly) appears just happy to be there. Is this Buster Douglas all over again? Verhoeven 10-9, folks.
Round 7: Usyk vs. Rico
Verhoeven’s jab is a thorn in Usyk’s side. Now, Verhoeven is throwing that left hook! Usyk’s offense is coming in small spurts, not long, dominant streaks. Usyk changes his stance to southpaw. Nasty body shot by Verhoeven rocks Usyk. Verhoeven continues to defend smartly against Usyk’s attempts to find an opening. Who’s the pound-for-pound king, again? I’m confused. Verhoeven 10-9 once again.
Round 6: Usyk vs. Rico
Is Usyk playing with his food? Is Verhoeven actually gaining some traction in this fight? The Dutchman has apparently landed more jabs at Usyk, which is why the champ is taking a cautious approach in the opening half of this fight. Still, it’s Verhoeven moving forward and Usyk backpedaling. Those combinations from Verhoeven are giving Usyk more trouble than he’d perhaps like to admit. If Usyk doesn’t start landing significant combos of his own, Verhoeven will be in better position to get the judges’ nod eventually. That’ll be Verhoeven 10-9 for Round 6.
Round 5: Usyk vs. Rico
I bet Usyk’s camp drew up a game plan of dragging Rico to the deep waters. Usyk might be playing with fire, though, as Verhoeven appears to have gotten a second wind in this round. He’s stayed busier than Usyk, who once again struggles to find angles to connect. Verhoeven stays sharp, showing some nice head movement to avoid Usyk’s heavy blows. I have it Verhoeven 10-9, and I agree with Todd Grisham’s announcement that this was the most competitive round yet.
Round 4: Usyk vs. Rico
The volume of Usyk’s punches has definitely picked up. Verhoeven looks rattled. Usyk setting up that left hook with his right jab. Impeccable combinations by the big Ukrainian. That right hand is giving Usyk some success early on. It’s Usyk 10-9.
Round 3: Usyk vs. Rico
Now, Usyk is starting to reciprocate. But I can’t help but feel at this point that Verhoeven is dictating the pace. It’s like Usyk is following his lead, which is absolutely wild. Beautiful right by Usyk to the body. In the final minute, it’s Usyk moving forward. Now, Verhoeven’s endurance will be put to the test. Credit to the Dutchman for having that left hook scouted. Usyk 10-9, folks.
Round 2: Usyk vs. Rico
Verhoeven continues to move forward and throw punches to the body. Doesn’t seem like Usyk has figured him out just yet. I have it Verhoeven 10-9 again. Wow.
Round 1: Usyk vs. Rico
Usyk chants are ringing out in the Giza necropolis in the early goings. Verhoeven advances in the opening minute, and after he lands a body shot, a “Rico” chant breaks out. Verhoeven continues to stay aggressive, not giving Usyk too much space to operate. The champ, however, is likely pacing himself and figuring out the puzzle in front of him. Still, the volume veers in the way of Verhoeven. I have it 10-9 Verhoeven in Round 1.
Never Change, Mike
Michael Buffer: “Let’s get ready to rumbleeeeeee.”
Still gives me goosebumps. LFG!
Usyk Came Dressed for the Occasion
Whoever set up Usyk’s ensemble should get a raise.
Rico Makes His Way to the Ring
What do you do when you’re about to slug it out in front of the Great Pyramids? Make a grand entrance, of course.
Torches, pyro, superhero pose…Verhoeven’s got it going.
Watch your step, sir!
Usyk vs. Rico – Tale of the Tape
Verhoeven has a wee bit of a reach and height advantage over Usyk, but that’s basically the only edge that he has over the champ. Experience-wise, Usyk is expected to run circles around his foe tonight.
What a Beautiful Sight…
And to think pharaohs used to roam here…
Does Verhoeven Stand a Chance?
Just about every analyst in the pre-fight coverage is saying the same thing: A Verhoeven win would be nothing short of a miracle.
What pathway, then, does the kickboxing king have to victory over the undefeated Usyk? For starters, Verhoeven needs to steer clear of Usyk’s left rear hook. That thing is a nasty piece of work.
Plus, the pundits are saying that the only way for Rico to win is to try to end things early. The longer the fight drags on, the more comfortable Usyk will get.
I’ve also heard it said that all the pressure is on Usyk in this fight. I disagree. The champ is clearly in his element, and he simply needs to stay disciplined. I wouldn’t dare accuse Usyk of complacency, but that’s the last thing he needs.
Usyk vs. Rico – Undercard results
Ahead of the Usyk vs. Rico main event, here’s what has transpired thus far in Giza:
WBO World Super Middleweight Title
Hamzah Sheeraz def. Alem Begic via KO (Round 2, 2:33)
WBA Regular Welterweight Title
Jack Catterall def. Shakhram Giyasov via unanimous decision
Heavyweight
Frank Sanchez def. Richard Torrez Jr. via KO (Round 2, 0:55)
Ring Magazine & WBO World Female Super Flyweight Title
Mizuki Hiruta (c) def. Mai Soliman via unanimous decision
WBA Gold, WBO International & IBF Inter Continental Light Heavyweight Titles
Benjamin Mendes Tani def. Daniel Lapin via TKO (Round 4, 1:35).
