Verhoeven, an icon of the kickboxing world, was boxing professionally for just the second time as he challenged Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title – at the pyramids of Giza, no less.
And Verhoeven was arguably on track for a remarkable result, seemingly ahead on points as the 11th round – the penultimate frame – arrived. But it was at that moment that he walked onto an uppercut in the corner, which dropped him to his knees.
Oleksandr Usyk hurt Rico Verhoeven with an uppercut in the corner, just before the stoppage (Getty)
Verhoeven beat the referee’s count and was given extra time to recover as his mouthguard was put back in, but when Usyk swarmed the Dutchman with more offence on the ropes, the official waved off the bout as the bell sounded.
Many will have felt that the referee should have let the round finish, while others will argue that Verhoeven was already given extra time to recover from the knockdown.
In any case, the result saw Usyk, 39, maintain his unbeaten record, retain the WBC belt, and avoid a historic upset in Egypt.
Advertisement
Up to that point, the Ukrainian had not looked his usual inventive, spritely self. However, that could have been down to the fine work of Verhoeven, 37, who did well to fight on the front foot for much of the bout, seemingly win the clinch battles, and land clean to the head and body.
Usyk had grown into the fight somewhat after appearing to lose the first few rounds, but it still seemed like he would need a stoppage in the final two rounds to avoid an embarrassing loss.
Enjoy 185+ fights a year on DAZN, the Global Home of Boxing
Never miss a fight from top promoters. Watch on your devices anywhere, anytime.
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Advertisement
And Usyk secured that stoppage at 2:59 of round 11, per the official result, with Verhoeven gracious in defeat despite the controversial nature of the ending.
“Yeah, of course, I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end it’s not up to me,” Verhoeven said in the ring. “But still, I thought it was a little bit early.
“I thought the referee knows that we’re nearly at the end of the round, so let me go out on my shield or let the bell go. But it’s not up to me, and I was already super thankful for the opportunity.”
Rico Verhoeven protesting the referee’s stoppage against Oleksandr Usyk (Reuters)
Usyk said: “Thank you so much, for me it’s very important, but for me I know right now in Ukraine – my people, my country – are being bombed. My family, my daughter, too, is in a bomb shelter and sent me a message. She said, ‘I know you’ll win.’ I prayed.
“Rico, you’re an amazing fighter, thank you so much. Coach, smart. My team, I love you, you are the best. Katarina, my wife, I love you. You’re my life, you’re my heart.”
Advertisement
The Ring magazine’s Rick Reno then brought Agit Kabayel into the ring, with the German expected to be next for Usyk; Kabayel is the unified champion’s mandatory challenger with the WBC, which granted Usyk a voluntary defence against Verhoeven.
However, Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh told Reno that it was “not the time” to push a fight with Kabayel, suggesting that Verhoeven deserved a rematch with Usyk.
The United States — one of the World Cup’s three host nations — has reportedly finalized its 26-player roster for this summer’s highly anticipated tournament.
Although U.S. Soccer is not expected to formally announce the roster until after Memorial Day, reports citing sources say Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Turner and Sebastian Berhalter are among the expected selections. Sebastian is the son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter. Aaronson suited up for Team USA during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Sources also told The Athletic that Gio Reyna is expected to be included on the roster for Mauricio Pochettino’s first World Cup run as USMNT manager.
Gio Reyna of the United States walks down the pitch during the second half of an international friendly against Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 31, 2026.(Andrew J. Clark/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
Since being sent home from the 2022 World Cup over what were described as behavioral issues, Reyna has remained one of the more polarizing figures in the U.S. player pool despite his talent. The 23-year-old logged a total of 509 minutes for Borussia Mönchengladbach this season.
As questions about Reyna’s future with the national team continued to swirl, the son of former U.S. star Claudio Reyna recently highlighted the special chance to play on the international stage.
“I’m just hoping and waiting for the call-up, it would be an honor,” Reyna said. “The national team means a lot to me. … I’d love to be there, have an impact on the team. It would be a dream to represent my country at the World Cup.”
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino looks on during the international friendly match between the United States and Portugal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 31, 2026.(Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Roster cutdowns inevitably bring tough decisions, and reports indicate Real Salt Lake standout Diego Luna did not make the final World Cup squad. Luna developed into a key member of the USMNT’s rotation in 2025.
Luna has scored four goals in 18 matches for the national team, adding to the 22 goals he has recorded over the past three seasons with Real Salt Lake.
The United States men’s national soccer team poses for a group photo before an international friendly against Uruguay at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 18, 2025.(Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images)
Zavier Gozo, who plays in the MLS for Real Salt Lake, was also told he would not compete on the national team this summer.
You can close your eyes and picture it on the side of those legendary M&M’s paint schemes.
Advertisement
Well, Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern shared that Dale Coyne Racing, which runs the No. 18 Honda driven by Romain Grosjean, will display the classic No. 18 used on Busch’s car during his time with Joe Gibbs Racing in the Cup Series.
How about that tribute?
Of course, the numbers are typically trademarked, so as Stern reported, the idea — which came from Fox Sports IndyCar commentator Townsend Bell — required getting in touch with Joe Gibbs Racing.
Busch never raced in the Indy 500 or in the IndyCar Series; however, he did have a lot of success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in NASCAR.
Advertisement
NASCAR star Kyle Busch died on Thursday at just 41 years old.(James Gilbert/Getty Images)
His brother, retired NASCAR driver and former Cup Series champ, Kurt Busch, attempted double duty by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day in 2014.
It’s a heck of a tribute from the folks at Dale Coyne Racing with an assist from JGR.
Semi Ajayi has secured promotion to the English Premier League after helping Hull City A.F.C. defeat Middlesbrough F.C. 1-0 in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.
The Super Eagles defender played the full match at Wembley Stadium as Hull City booked their return to the Premier League after nine years away from the top flight.
The match looked set for extra time before Oliver McBurnie scored the winning goal in the 95th minute after taking advantage of a mistake by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn.
Advertisement
It was a tense and closely contested game, with both teams creating few chances. Hull City nearly took the lead in the first half when McBurnie’s header struck the crossbar just before the break.
In the second half, both sides continued to play cautiously as they searched for the breakthrough. Substitute Joe Gelhardt came close late on, but his effort went wide.
Just when the match appeared to be heading for extra time, McBurnie found the decisive goal to send the Hull City fans into celebration.
Advertisement
Ajayi, who joined Hull City last summer, made 24 league appearances and scored once during the promotion campaign. The 32-year-old will now return to the Premier League for the first time since featuring for West Bromwich Albion F.C. in the 2020/21 season.
The defender has also been named in Eric Chelle’s squad for Nigeria’s international friendlies next month.
This week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch has just two players inside the top 30 in the Official World Golf Rankings. Luckily for the PGA Tour, they’ll be dueling on Sunday.
After three rounds in Dallas, Si Woo Kim leads Scottie Scheffler and Wyndham Clark by two shots. Kim flirted with a 59 on Friday and held a five-shot lead entering the weekend. That edge evaporated by midway through Saturday’s round as both Clark and Scheffler caught Kim on the back nine. But Kim steadied the ship and played his final seven holes in 3 under to take a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round as he looks for his first win since the 2023 Sony Open.
Kim and Scheffler will be paired together on Sunday. The two live in Dallas and often play together. Kim knows he won’t be the favorite on Sunday as Scheffler tries to track him down and successfully defend his title.
“I think no matter what, it’s going to be fun, especially Dallas, kind of like my second hometown,” Kim said. “He grew up here. It’s going to be a lot of fans cheering for him. I know, of course, everyone’s cheering for him. it’s going to be fun. I was hoping for a pairing with Scottie. Yeah, it’s going to be fun Sunday and fun to go with Scottie.”
Advertisement
Players went off in threesomes on Saturday but will go off in pairs on Sunday.
Clark and Stephan Jaeger, who is four shots back of Kim, will go off at 1:30 p.m. ET, with Kim and Scheffler following at 1:40.
Check out the complete Round 4 tee times and groupings for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson below.
Boxing legend Tyson Fury has a stern ruling in place when it comes to giving his children his money
Tyson Fury previously revealed he has no intention of leaving his fortune to his children, despite presenting his daughter and her new husband with a £5million wedding gift. The boxing legend and his wife, Paris, also gave Venezuela, 16, and Noah Price, 19, a lavish static caravan following the pair’s nuptials last weekend.
The newlyweds also had their £30,000 honeymoon in Marbella funded by Fury. Yet, despite such extravagant generosity, Fury maintains a firm stance when it comes to passing down his wealth, which is estimated to be around £148m according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Advertisement
Fury has even previously boasted of having £200m in the bank. However, the former world champion has made it abundantly clear that all seven of his children, including his eldest daughter, will need to make their own way in the world without financial assistance from him.
Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter
“I want my kids to get their own money, do their own things and be their own people,” Fury said in December 2024. “I don’t believe in just giving all your money to your kids but it will make them weak, spoiled and not value anything, worthless. They’ll end up getting to 35 and never having done anything for themselves, apart from spending dad’s money.
“They’ll be middle-aged looking in the mirror and being disappointed. If I buy my son a Lamborghini as soon as he passes his test, he’ll probably kill himself in it.
Advertisement
“But he also wouldn’t appreciate it. But if he works hard and gets himself a 2004 Corsa, he will be outside washing the c*** out every day, hoovering it top to bottom. And I will be proud of him because he has done it himself.
“I will help them with business deals and investments. But I am not a person who will just give everyone an easy life. Hard work, dedication and sacrifice are what make people strive for different things.”
Venezuela and boxer Noah tied the knot last Saturday at a chapel near Douglas on the Isle of Man. The celebrations continued at the Comis Hotel and Golf Club, where singer Peter Andre entertained the guests.
Advertisement
Regarding Fury’s lavish wedding present, a source revealed to The Sun: “Tyson and Paris gave Venezuela and Noah a wedding gift of £5million to kick-start their life. Obviously, they were over the moon.
“Some family members thought it was a lot of money for a young couple so there were some mixed feelings – but it’s up to Tyson and Paris.
“Tyson also paid for the honeymoon and got them a traditional gypsy wagon as a sentimental gift. Tyson’s got one in his front yard. The wedding was magical and they spent £40,000 on Venezuela’s dress alone. That’s the gypsy way – go big.”
Advertisement
The newlyweds are anticipated to settle in East Yorkshire upon returning from their honeymoon, where they will move into their newly acquired static home.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get back into their series when they face the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals best-of-seven series on Saturday night. New York grabbed a commanding 2-0 lead with a 109-93 win on Thursday. The Knicks (53-29), who were the third seed during the regular season, have won nine games in a row. The Cavaliers (52-30), the fourth seed in the East, are 6-1 on their home court in the postseason.
Tipoff from Rocket Arena in Cleveland is set for 8 p.m. ET. Cleveland is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 215.5, up two points from the opening. Before making any Cavaliers vs. Cavaliers picks, check out the Knicks vs. Cavs predictions from SportsLine’s Mike Barner.
Barner is perenially one of SportsLine’s top NBA experts, and he enters this game on a sizzling 135-95 roll on all NBA picks, returning $2,169 for $100 players during that span. Anyone following his NBA betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
After studying Knicks vs. Cavs from every angle, Barner is leaning Over 215.5 total points. The Over has hit in three of the past five head-to-head meetings. The Over has also hit in six of the last 10 Cleveland games, and in two of the last three New York games. The Cavaliers also had the fourth-best scoring offense in the NBA during the regular season, averaging 119.5 points per game, while the Knicks were 10th at 116.5.
The two teams are a combined 18-12 in regard to the Over during the 2026 NBA playoffs. Cleveland has the fourth-highest Over rate of any of the 16 playoff teams as Barner expects lots of points on the scoreboard. See his Knicks vs. Cavs spread pick at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Knicks vs. Cavs at FanDuel here:
The Wolverines stayed hot in the recruiting trail on Saturday when 2027 four-star tight end Colt Lumpris flipped from Alabama to Michigan.
Lumpris had been committed to Alabama since December, but with the Crimson Tide hiring a new tight ends coach this offseason, that opened the door for other programs like Michigan to recruit him.
Advertisement
New head coach Kyle Whittingham and tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham prioritized Lumpris despite his pledge to the Crimson Tide. Those efforts were rewarded on Saturday with his flip to the Wolverines.
Advertisement
With Lumpris now committed, Michigan has 15 total commitments in the 2027 cycle, with Lumpris being the first tight end.
Lumpris is ranked No. 268 overall on the Rivals Industry Ranking. Check out his best junior season highlights below.
The criticism remained at the conclusion of the fight, but now for another reason, with lots of viewers furious over the nature of the stoppage.
Advertisement
Verhoeven had put in a shock performance against the Ukrainian and looked like he could have been on his way to a major upset, but Usyk was able to find the big shot he likely needed and dropped the kickboxing star towards the end of round 11.
Verhoeven managed to get back to his feet, but a flurry of shots in the corner led referee Mark Lyson to jump in and stop the contest, though many people think it was done so prematurely.
Bellew is one who thinks that way, revealing on the DAZN broadcast that he thinks Verhoeven should have been given the chance to continue.
“It’s the only time in his whole career I’ve seen Usyk outworked. He started some of the rounds quite well but when it came to the last 30 seconds he was losing them, he was getting out landed if I’m being totally honest.
“I think Peter Fury [Verhoeven’s trainer] is spot on, I don’t think he would have been ready to carry on in the 12th. He was done, he was spent, but a massive part of that is down to experience. If I’m being totally honest a rematch is the least that boy deserves.
Advertisement
“He’s a top referee, he’s human. I feel for everyone. I do want to see him come out for that 12th round without a shadow or a doubt and he should have been allowed that.
“I wasn’t writing the scores down at the end of each round but I’m not going to lie, he’s possibly ahead going into the 11th round.
“In no way shape or form should that have been stopped and we’re never going to know now so you know what the best thing to do is? Just run it back.”
The Las Vegas Aces will host the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday night for their second meeting of the season. The game is set for 8 p.m. ET and will be available on CBS and Paramount+.
The reigning WNBA champions are off to a 4-1 start with their only stumble being their loss in the season opener to the Phoenix Mercury on May 9. The Aces are coming off a thrilling 85-84 win against the Atlanta Dream, which saw Chelsea Gray come in clutch (once again) in the final seconds.
The Sparks, 2-3 overall, notched a 97-88 road win over the Mercury on Thursday while making 15 3-pointers as a team. Los Angeles had 60 first-half points, which tied for the second most in an opening half in franchise history.
Las Vegas will unveil its 2025 WNBA championship banner at the Michelob ULTRA Arena during a pre-game ceremony. The Aces already had their ring ceremony on May 9.
Advertisement
Where to watch LA Sparks vs. Las Vegas Aces
Date: Saturday, May 23 | Time: 8 p.m. ET Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena — Las Vegas, NV TV: CBS | Live stream: Paramount+
Last meeting
The Sparks lead the all-time series 57-51, but the Aces have won their last three encounters. Los Angeles suffered a 105-78 home loss to the Aces during their season opener on May 10 despite Kelsey Plum scoring a game-high 27 points against her former team. That was the 31st time Plum scored over 25 points in her WNBA career. Nneka Ogwumike, who will miss Saturday’s game with a hand injury, had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
It was a strong shooting night for the Aces, who went 43 of 69 from the field. That 62.3% was the second-best percentage in franchise history. They had five players reach double figures, led by Chennedy Carter’s 22 points off the bench, while starters Jackie Young and A’ja Wilson contributed 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Chennedy Carter’s immediate impact
When it comes to the Aces, the conversation always starts with four-time MVP A’ja Wilson. However, newcomer Chennedy Carter’s role is worth highlighting too. She might have a somewhat controversial past, but signing her during free agency has already paid off for the Aces. Through the first five games of the season, Carter is leading the team in steals and is the second leading scorer behind A’ja Wilson while coming off the bench.
Advertisement
This is looking like a promising season for Carter as she is averaging a career-high 19.4 points per game while shooting a career-best 67.2% from the field. It is still early in the 2026 campaign, but Carter is making a strong case for Sixth Player of the Year. While she is still working on improving her defense, Aces coach Becky Hammon described her as a “spark plug” of the bench that the Aces really needed.
“That firepower off the bench. I’m asking her to play a really high-intensity role,” Hammon said this week. “I’m asking her to play a really exhausting way because she is capable, and that is something that we don’t have. That’s something she can bring to our team that we didn’t necessarily have before. Just trying to put her in spots to be successful. She’s integrated really nicely with the group. Not just on the court but off the court.”
Ogwumike making history in L.A. return
Ogwumike scored 12 points in the Sparks’ 97-88 victory over the Mercury on Thursday night, and in the process, she continued writing her name in the WNBA history books. She now has a total of 7,383 career points, which moved her into fifth place on the league’s all-time scoring list, passing Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings.
What made it more special is the fact that Ogwumike did it in her return to Los Angeles after spending two seasons with the Seattle Storm. She was drafted No. 1 overall by the Sparks in 2012 and stayed with the franchise until 2023. Ogwumike was a free agent this offseason and made the decision to rejoin her former team.
Advertisement
Next up on the all-time scorers list is Tina Thompson, who wrapped up her WNBA career in 2013 with a total of 7,488 points. Through the first five games of this season, Ogwumike is averaging 15.6 points per game while shooting 55.8% from the field.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login