Usyk KO’s Verhoeven at Giza, Retains WBC Title
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- Usyk knocked out Verhoeven at the end of Round 11 in a fight staged before the Giza pyramids, ending the bout with one second left on the clock.
- Usyk defended his WBC heavyweight title, which was on the line, while the WBA and IBF treated the fight as unsanctioned.
- Verhoeven entered the match with a 66‑10 kickboxing record (21 KOs) and only one prior professional boxing win (April 2014), but was stopped in the 11th round.
- Usyk entered as a –2500 betting favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook, reflecting his 25‑0 record with 16 KOs.
- Usyk’s victory was his first fight since beating Daniel Dubois in July 2025 to reclaim the undisputed heavyweight championship.
Why it matters: Usyk retains the WBC heavyweight title, cementing his undisputed champion status and setting up future high‑profile fights, while Verhoeven’s loss halts his attempt to transition to elite boxing.
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