All posts tagged: Usyk

Heavyweight champion Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts | Boxing

Heavyweight champion Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts | Boxing

Published by Sam Flores

Usyk, who had held the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, has been the world undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion. Published On 26 Jun 202626 Jun 2026 Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk says he was vacating his three boxing world title belts but is not retiring. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who is unbeaten in his professional career, said on Friday that he wanted “to make them free so that the guys who are in line for them can box”. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Usyk’s announcement came just a month after he came close to a shock upset defeat to kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Usyk needed a highly controversial 11th-round stoppage to turn the tables on the Dutchman, who had been leading on the scorecards up to that point despite taking part in only his second boxing bout. “Good day to everyone. Today is Friday, the weather is good, and it’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold – to make them free so that the …

Usyk avoids shock defeat with 11th round stoppage of Verhoeven

Usyk avoids shock defeat with 11th round stoppage of Verhoeven

Published by Sam Flores

GIZA, Egypt, May 23 : Ukraine’s unbeaten heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk stopped Dutch former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second left in the penultimate round of a WBC title fight on Saturday to avoid one of the greatest boxing upsets of all time. The ‘Glory in Giza’ fight at the Pyramids of Egypt was considered a mismatch, but Verhoeven, whose sole previous professional boxing fight was 12 years ago, tore up the script in mind-boggling fashion from the opening bell. It took until the fourth for Usyk to have a round that was clearly his, but the champion was unable to capitalise on it with the bigger and heavier Verhoeven still taking the fight to him. With Usyk tipping the scales heavier than ever before, and looking strangely lethargic at times, the 39-year-old Ukrainian went into the penultimate round needing to pull something out of the bag to be sure of a win most had taken for granted. Scorecards published by The Ring magazine afterwards showed two of the three judges had the fight …

Usyk to put WBC title on line against kickboxer Verhoeven at pyramids of Egypt

Usyk to put WBC title on line against kickboxer Verhoeven at pyramids of Egypt

Published by Sam Flores

Feb 27 : Oleksandr Usyk will put his WBC heavyweight title belt on the line against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on May 23 at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza, The Ring magazine announced on Friday. The Ukrainian three-times undisputed champion holds the IBF, WBA and WBC titles after vacating the WBO belt. The 39-year-old has not boxed since beating Britain’s Daniel Dubois at London’s Wembley Stadium last July. “I respect his (Verhoeven’s) journey – he’s truly the ‘King of Kickboxing’. But this is boxing – a different game, with its own rules and its own kings,” said Usyk, who has a 24-0 record. “I’m ready and looking forward to meeting him in the ring. It’s going to be a unique experience for both of us, and I know the fans are excited too. A big night is coming.” The ‘Glory in Giza’ fight will be streamed live on DAZN. Ring Magazine is owned by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority which has promoted title fights in Riyadh. “I spent 12 years as the …