Round-by-Round: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven - 23 May 2026

[joshj909]

I think it shows that non boxers can cause more problems than regular boxers because they are more unorthodox. Guess we saw this with Ngannou and Fury,

It shows that the next time we get dominant MMA fighter or dominant Kickboxer testing himself in Boxing we'd be wise not to write him off as a no hoper.

I think it would be more wise to watch them fight someone in the top 10-25 mark. Ngannou for example, who knows of he's any good or of Fury was just shit that night because Joshua made quick work of him. Is Rico any good or was Usyk just severely under prepared? Rico should try against someone like Vianello or Huni and see where he actually stands.

[Ruthless-RKO]

But crap they all rely on Turki’s chequebook.

They can’t make fights themselves anymore..

[Heldenjaeger]

Rico is no gimmick

Of course he is, just like Fury would be in MMA or Usyk would be in kickboxing. He did very well, overperformed but also, Usyk looked horrible, this was the worst performance of his entire career. Legs are gone, no angles, nothing.

[Evander]

I think some of us thought the corruption in boxing may subside slightly when the fights went to the middle east.
But after watching Hamzah Sheeraz getting beaten by Carlos Adames in Saudi Arabia and get a draw and now this in Egypt, clearly indicates the fix is global.
Can't trust judges or referees in this sport no matter where you go.

[joshj909]

Usyk ain't wild about Kabayel is he?

He wants Wilder

[deadpan]

Usyk ain't wild about Kabayel is he?

He wants Wilder

And doesn't want a renowned body puncher.

[SeanBrennan]

You can tell Rico isn’t a boxer…..as he wasn’t moaning about the decision and was very classy.

[JC]

Feels a bit like Lennox Vitali

[Ruthless-RKO]

Turki just dictating boxing.

And you love it

I think it’s sad that everyone being interviewed just mentions Turki.

Like it’s all down to him.
No one can make their own decision anymore.

Sad times.

[johnmanchester]

Rico is no gimmick

Of course he is, just like Fury would be in MMA or Usyk would be in kickboxing. He did very well, overperformed but also, Usyk looked horrible, this was the worst performance of his entire career. Legs are gone, no angles, nothing.

Yeah I have to agree with you, you were correct earlier

Usyk looked like shit. Very unusual performance

[Twinkle Toes]

Usyk looks close to done, he was really poor.

Stoppage was all over the shop, but the Verhoeven fella was out of it, he took a few minutes on his stool afterwards.

[Kilburn]

Very hard for Rico to actually beat Usyk when the champ can still but punches like that together in the championship rounds.

Weird ending but Usyk was always going to stop him at that point.

[TBA]

I think it shows that non boxers can cause more problems than regular boxers because they are more unorthodox. Guess we saw this with Ngannou and Fury,

It shows that the next time we get dominant MMA fighter or dominant Kickboxer testing himself in Boxing we'd be wise not to write him off as a no hoper.

I think it would be more wise to watch them fight someone in the top 10-25 mark. Ngannou for example, who knows of he's any good or of Fury was just shit that night because Joshua made quick work of him. Is Rico any good or was Usyk just severely under prepared? Rico should try against someone like Vianello or Huni and see where he actually stands.

No point wasting him in those kind of fights after this and risk the bubble being burst.

If you want to burst it then do it in a big fight like rematch versus Usyk in a Dutch stadium fight as Turki alluded to or sparked by Joshua like with Ngannou.

[gilgamesh]

Even after being ahead after 10 rounds. It's still Usyk bad, not Rico good.

Rico can't possibly actually be a good fighter. That can't be the answer.

[gregregegg]

fornicate ddd nearly just got to knockout Rico for undisputed…

[NazNaci1]

I think there will be re-match first.

[Heldenjaeger]

Even after being ahead after 10 rounds. It's still Usyk bad, not Rico good.

Rico can't possibly actually be a good fighter. That can't be the answer.

I called it in round one: Usyk had no legs.

[joshj909]

It shows that the next time we get dominant MMA fighter or dominant Kickboxer testing himself in Boxing we'd be wise not to write him off as a no hoper.

I think it would be more wise to watch them fight someone in the top 10-25 mark. Ngannou for example, who knows of he's any good or of Fury was just shit that night because Joshua made quick work of him. Is Rico any good or was Usyk just severely under prepared? Rico should try against someone like Vianello or Huni and see where he actually stands.

No point wasting him in those kind of fights after this and risk the bubble being burst.

If you want to burst it then do it in a big fight like rematch versus Usyk in a Dutch stadium fight as Turki alluded to or sparked by Joshua like with Ngannou.

That's the point. Does he see himself as a gimmick or someone who's a genuine boxer? Because if he's a genuine boxer then he should be able to face those guys. If he's a gimmick then put him against Ngannou or some other freak fight.

[joshj909]

fornicate ddd nearly just got to knockout Rico for undisputed…

WBC would've stripped him so wouldn't have been for undisputed. Either than or he would've faced Kabayel

[gilgamesh]

Even after being ahead after 10 rounds. It's still Usyk bad, not Rico good.

Rico can't possibly actually be a good fighter. That can't be the answer.

I called it in round one: Usyk had no legs.

I said back in February that Rico was going to give him hell. That Rico wasn't a joke of an opponent. That this was a serious fight, and a dangerous one.

[Heldenjaeger]

Even after being ahead after 10 rounds. It's still Usyk bad, not Rico good.

Rico can't possibly actually be a good fighter. That can't be the answer.

I called it in round one: Usyk had no legs.

I said back in February that Rico was going to give him hell. That Rico wasn't a joke of an opponent. That this was a serious fight, and a dangerous one.

Those were just words. Usyk not moving like he used to is reality. But yeah, your call was also correct.

[gilgamesh]

I think it would be more wise to watch them fight someone in the top 10-25 mark. Ngannou for example, who knows of he's any good or of Fury was just shit that night because Joshua made quick work of him. Is Rico any good or was Usyk just severely under prepared? Rico should try against someone like Vianello or Huni and see where he actually stands.

No point wasting him in those kind of fights after this and risk the bubble being burst.

If you want to burst it then do it in a big fight like rematch versus Usyk in a Dutch stadium fight as Turki alluded to or sparked by Joshua like with Ngannou.

That's the point. Does he see himself as a gimmick or someone who's a genuine boxer? Because if he's a genuine boxer then he should be able to face those guys. If he's a gimmick then put him against Ngannou or some other freak fight.

Ngannou isn't a joke either. Just because he competes in a different sport, doesn't make him any less of a Professional Fighter. He fights people for money.

Ngannou just like Rico damn sure wasn't a joke when he fought for the World Title.

[Ricky]

Even after being ahead after 10 rounds. It's still Usyk bad, not Rico good.

Rico can't possibly actually be a good fighter. That can't be the answer.

He was a game fighter and boxed well, strange style that you usually only get from guys that have trained in another discipline. I think he'd probably lose against most HWs in the top 20 though.

[keithmoonhangover]

Rico wasn't in a position to defend himself as the ref stepped in. That's the rules.

[gilgamesh]

Even after being ahead after 10 rounds. It's still Usyk bad, not Rico good.

Rico can't possibly actually be a good fighter. That can't be the answer.

He was a game fighter and boxed well, strange style that you usually only get from guys that have trained in another discipline. I think he'd probably lose against most HWs in the top 20 though.

Probably, but not definitely.