In the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Giza, Rico Verhoeven established himself as much more than just a kickboxer over the weekend.
He became a problem for boxing’s heavyweight division.
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In just his second professional boxing fight, the Dutch giant pushed the legendary Oleksandr Usyk to the brink, before being stopped with a second left in the 11th round.
For a fighter that many boxing fans barely knew a week ago, Verhoeven delivered a performance that stunned the combat world.
Despite having fought the likes of former champions Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, Usyk – the greatest heavyweight champ of his era – was given his toughest fight in years by Verhoeven.
One man who knows exactly what Verhoeven brings to the table is Australian Ben Edwards who shared the ring with the kickboxing legend in 2012.
Edwards, a three-time world kickboxing champion who later captured Australian heavyweight honours in boxing, says it exposed a familiar flaw within boxing circles.
“I think Usyk made the same mistake Fury made against Nganou in completely underestimating Rico,” he told Fox Sports Australia.
“Usyk also came in at a career heaviest weight possibly because he didn’t take it seriously – or to purposely be heavier to fight the much bigger man in Rico.
“I think there’s an air of arrogance from boxing people when fighters from other sports go to boxing.
“I felt it when I started my boxing career… I’d hear all the time ‘kickboxers can’t box’ and ’MMA fighters can’t box’ and I think Usyk might have underestimated Rico.”
That underestimation nearly produced one of the biggest upsets in modern boxing history.
Verhoeven was dropped by an uppercut late in round 11, before moments later referee Mark Lyson waved it off to protect him from further punishment.
There’s a good chance that Usyk would have finished the job in the next round, but the finish was certainly controversial in a fight of this magnitude.
“I thought the stoppage was terrible, the round had already ended, they could have at least let him go into the next round and give him a chance — especially for the heavyweight championships of the world,” said Edwards.
“I thought Rico was up 8 rounds to 2 going into the 11th. I thought the live scoring was bulls**t to have it pretty much an even fight going into the 11th.
“It’s typical boxing bulls**t. They gave Tyson Fury 21 seconds to recover against Usyk and gave Rico less than half that time I believe – and the round had ended.
“He absolutely deserves a rematch and another payday.”
WILL RICO VERHOEVEN GET A REMATCH?
Verhoeven absolutely deserves a rematch, but we know that Usyk has an order from the WBC to fight interim champion Agit Kabayel.
It is also clear that Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh wants to do the Kabayel fight next and then a possible rematch with Verhoeven.
Speaking post-fight on Sunday, Alalshikh said: “It is the choice of Usyk, now is not the right time.
“He is in the line, but also he [Rico] deserves a rematch after Kabayel.
“They are in the line, both of them. We want to see Kabayel, and we want to see the rematch with Rico in Holland.”
Usyk replied: “If your organisation is, I am ready. I can box them both.”
Following the bout, Verhoeven launched an official appeal about the stoppage.
The Dutch superstar shared a photograph on social media showing his manager formally submitting the appeal while travelling to the airport.
“Official protest has been filed on our way to the Airport,” Verhoeven wrote.
“Rules only matter if they are applied when it matters most.”
Another man who is insisting on the rematch being fought soon is Verhoeven’s coach, Peter Fury.
While he admits his fighter may have been finished in the final round, Fury said the stoppage wasn’t entirely fair.
“I think the stoppage was early but at the end of the day he [Verhoeven] was tired, he was fatigued, it was the 11th round. Could have made the 12? Probably not. But the stoppage was premature,” Fury told DAZN.
“I’m about respect. Respect your opponent. I’m not into all the slapping s**t. Usyk’s got the win, full congratulations to him.
“But I think they should … I think Oleksandr will run it back because he’ll look at it, you know, let’s run it back.
“The guy [Verhoeven] deserves another shot because look what’s happened here. A little bit more experience. It’s the first time he’s ever, ever gone past five rounds.”
WARREN SAYS KABAYEL BETTER BE NEXT
Promoter Frank Warren says he won’t stand for a rematch between Usyk and Verhoeven to go ahead of Kabayel getting his shot at the champion.
Although Usyk has an order from the WBC to face Kabayel, we’ve seen repeatedly that Usyk doesn’t always do what he’s told to.
Twice Usyk has been undisputed heavyweight champion and has given up titles to take other fights.
“Whatever happens, they’re talking about maybe doing a rematch with Usyk and Rico. We’re not going to stand for that,” Warren told Sky Sports.
“Usyk’s been there long enough and (Kabayel) wants his moment, and that’s what we’ll be pushing for with the WBC, and hopefully we get it over the line and do that sometime in the autumn.
Usyk’s instantly iconic pyramid walk out | 01:30
“If he doesn’t take it, he’ll have to vacate it, or be stripped, it’s as simple as that.
“You’re a champion, you defend the belts, that’s what you’re there for, if you don’t defend them, then you’ve got to give them up and let other people have an opportunity to build their name.”