Usyk Survives Verhoeven Scare With Controversial 11th-Round Stoppage

Oleksandr Usyk narrowly avoided one of boxing's biggest upsets, dropping crossover challenger Rico Verhoeven in the 11th round before a controversial stoppage handed the Ukrainian a win at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Verhoeven, the longtime Glory heavyweight kickboxing champion, was widely seen as ahead heading into the championship rounds, with judges' cards close after 10.

Usyk landed a right uppercut to drop Verhoeven late in the 11th. Verhoeven beat the count, but referee Mark Lyson waved off the fight at 2:59 of the round with roughly a second remaining.

The stoppage drew heavy criticism on the broadcast and on social media, with Verhoeven questioning the officiating afterward.