Overview
- Oleksandr Usyk beat Rico Verhoeven by TKO when referee Mark Lycett stopped the fight late in round 11, a finish widely called premature by ringside observers and media.
- Reports say Verhoeven beat the count after an uppercut but his mouthpiece came out and the referee halted the action with about one second remaining in the round.
- Sanctioning decisions made before the bout remain in force: the WBC sanctioned the fight so its belt stayed on the line, the WBA said Verhoeven could not win its title, and the IBF granted an exception that will trigger a 180-day mandatory process for Usyk if he keeps the belt or a vacancy if he loses.
- The card produced immediate sporting consequences with Hamzah Sheeraz claiming the vacant WBO super-middleweight title and Frank Sanchez earning a shot by beating Richard Torrez Jr., moves that feed into forthcoming mandatory orders and ranking shifts.
- Held at the Pyramids of Giza and shown on DAZN pay‑per‑view on Saturday, May 23, 2026, the spectacle underscores the rise of crossover, landmark-venue events and has already prompted calls for a rematch and scrutiny of officiating and governing rules.