Ukraine’s world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk secured a dramatic 11th-round stoppage against former Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, narrowly averting what would have been a significant upset in their WBC title fight dubbed 'Glory in Giza' at the pyramids of Egypt.

The bout, initially perceived as a mismatch, saw Verhoeven, who had only one professional boxing fight 12 years prior, challenge the unbeaten champion throughout. Usyk, who appeared heavier than usual and occasionally lethargic, struggled to assert dominance over the larger, more aggressive Verhoeven.

Scorecards revealed the tight contest, with two of three judges scoring the fight 95-95 heading into the penultimate round, and the third judge favoring Verhoeven 96-94. The decisive moment arrived with mere seconds left in the 11th round when Usyk landed a powerful right uppercut, sending Verhoeven to the canvas. Though Verhoeven beat the 10-count, the referee deemed him unable to continue, stopping the fight at 2:59 of the round.

Verhoeven expressed his disappointment with the stoppage, suggesting it was premature, but acknowledged the opportunity. Usyk, meanwhile, dedicated his victory to his people in Ukraine, referencing the ongoing conflict and the fear his family experiences. This win extended Usyk's undefeated record to 25 fights and allowed him to retain his WBA, IBF, and WBC heavyweight titles.

The fight carried significant stakes beyond the championship belts. Had Usyk lost, his WBA and IBF titles would have become vacant. Verhoeven's potential victory was being compared to historical boxing upsets, such as Mike Tyson's 1990 loss to James "Buster" Douglas.

Usyk, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, was widely expected to win comfortably. However, Verhoeven's performance challenged these expectations, showcasing resilience and effectiveness against the champion.

Verhoeven, 37, indicated a desire for a rematch, stating his gratitude for the chance to compete. Usyk, 39, acknowledged the difficulty of the fight, attributing his victory to a well-timed uppercut and divine intervention.

The presence of notable figures like former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and actor Jason Statham in the crowd underscored the event's high profile. The fight's conclusion left lingering questions about Verhoeven's potential in professional boxing and Usyk's future challenges.