How Rico Verhoeven proved everybody wrong to become an instant hit in heavyweight boxing

Big-time boxing can sometimes feel like we’re being sold the sizzle, but not the steak. But, credit where it’s due, the Glory in Giza fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven delivered, but not in the way many of us expected. And despite the genuinely gripping entertainment, and the controversy that followed, what we were ultimately left with was one of the great underdog performances in recent boxing memory.

Verhoeven knew what few others did – he could REALLY box

When the fight was booked, few thought Verhoeven stood much of a chance against Usyk. Those that did came almost exclusively from the kickboxing and MMA fraternity, who perhaps understood that Rico’s best chance was through the element of surprise. After all, very few of the people who tuned in to watch, and barely any of those who were gathered at ringside, had spent much, if any, time following the big Dutchman’s career up to that point.

It meant that, when they first faced off, Verhoeven’s size was something of a surprise, as was his calm, but not arrogant, confidence that he had what it took to spring an upset. His head-to-head with Usyk was good-natured and respectful, but it was clear that Rico wasn’t there to give it the old college try and be happy with the outcome, regardless. No. He was there to win, and even if many weren’t taking him seriously, he most certainly was.

When it came down to the fight itself, Verhoeven was superb. His style was unorthodox and a little herky-jerky at times. Notably, it was noticeably different from his kickboxing style. His fighting style needed to be adjusted for boxing, but his style made any serious tape study of his boxing in kickboxing bouts almost redundant.

His high-energy, perpetual-motion approach clearly had Usyk befuddled through the early rounds. The heavyweight champ didn’t look as physically cut as we’ve seen in the past, but this was arguably the pound-for-pound best in the world. Nobody expected him to look this confused in the ring. Yet that’s what Verhoeven managed to accomplish, with Usyk clearly attemping to work out the Dutchman’s style on the fly as he tried to problem-solve in real time.

Questionable scoring, and an even more questionable stoppage

While Usyk was trying to suss out Rico’s style, Rico was banking rounds. Or, at least, we thought he was. The three scorecards later showed the judges had unanimously awarded Usyk Rounds 3, 4, and 5. But Verhoeven was certainly competitive, and while many may disagree with their assessment, two judges had the fight even heading into the 11th round, while the third had Verhoeven one round ahead. DAZN’s Mike Coppinger had Verhoeven far enough ahead that Usyk needed a knockout to win.

And, in a controversial end to the 11th, that’s exactly what Usyk got. After 10 rounds of confusion and barely making a dent in Verhoeven’s defenses, Usyk found his mark, and Verhoeven was in trouble. He went down and took an eight count, before the action resumed in the final seconds of the round. Usyk poured on the pressure on a hurt, but not finished, Verhoeven, and the referee stepped in to wave off the fight, a split-second AFTER the bell sounded to end the round.

It was a poor stoppage, made even worse by the fact that the round had already ended. Verhoeven later said he deserved the chance to go out on his shield, and that may well have happened in the 12th, but he never got that chance. The referee’s call, coupled with some highly debatable scoring, seemingly ensured that, whichever way it went, Verhoeven was destined not to win that fight.

Verhoeven has arrived in heavyweight boxing, so who’s next?

Verhoeven’s stock undoubtedly went up as a result of his heroic performance, while Usyk’s took a small hit. For the first time since a borderline body-shot/low blow from Daniel Dubois, the great champion looked fallible.

However, with the superb build-up, the outstanding staging, and the brilliant performance of Verhoeven, the night itself delivered a slam-dunk success. It seems Usyk will now move on to face the deserving No. 1 contender, Agit Kabayel, who has waited patiently for his chance.

The big question now is what’s next for Verhoeven? After that performance, he’s guaranteed a big payday, and another major fight. And whoever it is, the boxing world will be watching, a little more aware of Verhoeven’s abilities.