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SportsTranscript
00:00Okay, gentlemen, you're boxing for the heavyweight championship of the world.
00:04I've already spoken to you both.
00:06You know what I expect.
00:07Stay professional, obey my commands, and most of all, protect yourself at all times.
00:13God bless you both.
00:17Two heavyweight champions from different worlds with the ancient pyramids behind them.
00:23Can Rico pull off one of the biggest upsets in the history of combat sports,
00:27or will Usyk beat, batter, and bury him in the Egyptian desert tonight?
00:35Twelve rounds for the heavyweight championship of the world.
00:41Oleksandr Usyk, Rico Verhoeven, here we go.
00:47Straight away, who's going to find the rhythm with their jab first?
00:51How is Verhoeven going to approach this?
00:53Is he going to try and be the boss, the aggressor?
00:57What do you try and wait for Usyk to lead and try and counter?
01:01I can't see that being the option.
01:04I feel like he needs to be the boss, try and be the aggressor here.
01:08A lot of footwork and movement from Rico, and a straight right hand on the button!
01:12Good bit of movement there from Verhoeven there, just pushing it back with the jab,
01:15and then right hand over the top.
01:17And I think it's imperative to have a good start, to have a full of confidence, and he'll need that.
01:23Rico! Rico! Rico! Rico! Rico!
01:25A chance of Rico here ringside.
01:28A lot of Dutch fans making the trip to the desert.
01:32Usyk just having a look, trying to work out his man.
01:37Look at the size of the legs of Rico Verhoeven, can those legs bounce like that for 12 rounds, Barry?
01:43Well, I would probably say no, but he might not need to.
01:46I think it's important from that, you know, he's rushing Usyk.
01:50Now, when he doubles the jab, he brings his feet in fast, because he's such a big guy,
01:55he's forcing Usyk back his straight line for a minute.
01:58But the head movement as well, there's a lot of static target, cannot afford to be against Usyk.
02:06Wait for Usyk to really uncork that left hand.
02:10In kickboxing, oh, I've got a bit bad minute.
02:15Clash of heads, perhaps.
02:17I was going to say, kickboxing, Rico switches stances quite often.
02:22Not sure if he's going to do it here in the Sweet Science.
02:24It seems like he's not as square on as I've seen him in the kickboxing ring.
02:32Bit more side on.
02:33Like the way he's got his chin down, shoulders rounded.
02:37And he looks so much bigger than Usyk.
02:41It's a good positive start here.
02:46And we know that Usyk figures fighters out and then takes over.
02:50Right now, seems to be downloading the information.
02:53What do I exactly have in front of me right now?
02:56The 6'5", 256-pound freak of nature.
03:03Great shot, great shot.
03:04Great shot.
03:06Are you impressed so far, Derek?
03:08That was really good.
03:09Committed to that right to the body, didn't he, Barry?
03:11Lovely shot.
03:12Well, whatever you can say, he's winning this round.
03:18Yeah, let's see a bit more of that from Usyk.
03:20The faith, the right hook as well.
03:22Look at the movement of a hoover.
03:23It's all to his left-hand side, constantly.
03:37All in all, considering what we thought we might see,
03:41Rico gets an A++ performance for round one.
03:50The road to greatness is long, but greatness isn't just forged from within.
03:56It has to be proven on the greatest stage of all.
04:30That was a good start, wasn't it?
04:31Verhoeven, showing no respect at all.
04:34Bit of variation to his work, looking big, as Barry mentioned.
04:38And that right to the body was a lovely shot.
04:40Good start.
04:41And what was good for Verhoeven there is when he threw a shot,
04:44he committed to his attack.
04:47Peter Fury in the corner of Rico Verhoeven.
04:50They've been training together for about 15 years, Darren.
04:53What's Peter Fury fighters, what are they known for?
04:56I mean, hard-working, technically sound,
04:59and mentally very strong as well.
05:01And movement as well, very, very good footwork.
05:04We're seeing that here, aren't we?
05:06I must say, again, it's all to the left-hand side of Usyk.
05:09We know how well he throws that right hook.
05:13Nice uppercut in the straight left-hand.
05:16And here's where he can maybe fall in a little bit.
05:18You guys thought this might be a good strategy.
05:20It's just the physical presence, but you're waiting for him.
05:22But I mean, he hasn't needed that in the first round.
05:25He was pushing him back with straight punches.
05:27There's no massive jeopardy there for the Usyk,
05:29but he's taken by surprise on the first round.
05:33Usyk seemed to be just kind of in first gear right now.
05:36There's a right hand.
05:37But Rico really forcing the issue.
05:39Yeah, and he's tucking up well when he comes forward.
05:43Kind of hooking the shots in round the side,
05:46working the body, then leans on, nullifies the work of Usyk coming back.
05:52Yeah, it's been a good start.
05:56Rico, a kickboxing record, 66-10, 27 straight victories.
06:02Probably doesn't even remember the last time he lost.
06:05It's been so long.
06:06So he's landed on the look at there, Usyk.
06:08And there's not a lot of loads of weight on it, but it's still a good shot.
06:12And the hoover's not even bothered.
06:13He's quite straight back, didn't he, for the right hand.
06:17Is he tempting fate, though, guys, being this aggressive?
06:20No, I think this is the right move. It is.
06:22Nice uppercut for Usyk.
06:24And Rico answers back.
06:26Yeah, that's important.
06:27He does answer back.
06:28He doesn't give any space for Usyk to make a second phase of attack.
06:32That uppercut, certainly the shot for Usyk.
06:35You can see how rounded he is,
06:36almost leaning over that front foot when he comes forward, Verhoeven.
06:44You feel like Usyk is locked in right now, Barry?
06:47I think he's been taken back a little bit after that really good start there.
06:52So he's had a lot of a little more frequently than this one,
06:55and he's had a much better round.
06:57I think he's shot by the physical strength here of Verhoeven.
07:01Maybe he's just waiting for Rico to slow down a little bit.
07:04Yeah, possibly with the fight for the hands and feet.
07:08Just working out the man, but when he leans on,
07:12he looks an absolute unit in there.
07:15He really does.
07:18Verhoeven's just a little bit too static, I feel.
07:21He's more lateral movement, he'll get on the balls of his feet a little bit.
07:24Perhaps waiting too long.
07:26He's giving Verhoeven a tag of the hit, isn't he?
07:30To aim for.
07:34Anytime Rico gets a close hand, she just lets his hands go.
07:40And he looks quicker than what I've seen of Verhoeven in the past.
07:44I think he knows that he needs to be quick in this contest.
07:48He's worked on it.
07:54We're here to drink, play bad music, do some half-gay stuff.
07:58Why just half-gay?
08:01I'm just so happy that the old gang is back together.
08:04I can't feel my face.
08:05Bro, you cook, son.
08:09Ghostface is still killing folks.
08:11No!
08:14Red light!
08:16Ha! You moved!
08:18Ghostface, 2.9, other name.
08:20Scary Movie.
08:21Get tickets now.
08:27A lovely right hand there from Verhoeven there.
08:30Just, again, with it in close, he was just a physical strength,
08:32just a little push to release.
08:34And then, clocking, losing with a lovely right hand.
08:38And he felt that.
08:38I think he wasn't in any danger, but he felt that.
08:40And I think he's really shocked by not only the physical strength there of Verhoeven,
08:44but also, I think, his boxing ability.
08:46No, three.
08:47When Conor McGregor crossed over to boxing and fought Floyd Mayweather,
08:51Conor was very successful early, won a couple of rounds before Floyd Mayweather
08:55started to take over after figuring him out.
08:57You sense that might be happening here, guys?
08:59It could possibly be happening, but I think
09:03he's having more success than McGregor did, I think, for me,
09:06because Floyd was sort of half playing around about that guy.
09:10And the big thing here is, can he sustain it?
09:13Can he keep this going?
09:14As we say, Maxim, doesn't he?
09:16Can he keep this moving?
09:17That was a beautiful right to the body.
09:19I was just saying it was a little low.
09:20Yeah, Rico acknowledged that.
09:22Wants to keep it a fair fight.
09:26Of course, that harkens back to the controversy surrounding Dubois
09:30dropping Usyk in Poland, what was deemed a low blow.
09:34Look at Mike Carpentry's got a 2-0 for the big Dutchman.
09:42Another shot from Rico.
09:45I just stood a little tall there.
09:47And a chin high.
09:48I'll tell you what, guys, this is not how he kickboxes.
09:50He's never this aggressive in the early rounds.
09:52I'm very surprised with this strategy, but it's a winning formula so far.
09:59And it's the right move.
10:00We did say that, didn't we, just in the preview.
10:02We just know, I think you're going to rush him and take that risk.
10:05But I don't think he has to rush him.
10:06He's rushing him with his attacks, but they're relatively smart,
10:09but there's straight punches down the line.
10:11I don't know what, I think there's a bit of variation to the work.
10:13You know, every now and again, he'll creep forward like he does now.
10:16Again, Rico, heavy hands on Usyk.
10:22I think Usyk thought of the awful.
10:24When he's down to those uppercuts, punches that he might not be able to see
10:27that he might back him up.
10:28And that hasn't happened yet.
10:30There's a nice right to the body for Hovind.
10:33The back on Usyk with a nice left hand.
10:36And another right for Usyk.
10:38A big sponsor for Usyk there with the left hand.
10:44He's got to get some nuts and women to play here, Usyk.
10:47He's not fighting as much as he used to.
10:49You know, usually it's hard for other fighters to figure Usyk out.
10:54Is Usyk having a hard time figuring this guy out?
10:56I don't think he's in for the arms there from Hovind as well.
10:59That's a good strength of the ball.
11:01They're not just thick that long.
11:04Now Rico feeling himself staying on his toes.
11:07I'm just wondering, can he keep this pace up in the later rounds?
11:11He looks at you a moment ago there and just find out a jab of Hovind.
11:15It looked like a look-away shot.
11:21The variation is a nice counter one-two that from Usyk.
11:26Good footwork.
11:31Usyk has it's gone up.
11:33Looked like he blocked those punches.
11:37And that's where he can throw the upper part as well.
11:39When he throws the hooks, then screw the shot through the middle.
11:44More offensive now, isn't he, Usyk?
11:46Oh, good shot there for Hovind.
11:51Alright, let's hear how Alistair Overeem is seeing things.
11:55Yes, Rico is fighting a perfect fight.
11:57He's using his weight.
11:59He's throwing combinations off of the clinch.
12:02He's, yeah, surprisingly but beautifully at the same time winning this fight.
12:08Dominating this fight.
12:09Yeah, I think a lot of people are, I wouldn't say in awe of what's happening, but a bit surprised.
12:14Is there any chance right now, Darren, that Usyk's playing with his food a little bit?
12:18Just giving the fans a show here until he starts to dominate.
12:22Possibly.
12:22Or, as you said, could be collecting data.
12:24Having a look.
12:25Still trying to work out his man.
12:27You feel at any moment he will turn the screw.
12:29I see a little bit there.
12:30He was a bit more offensive, wasn't he?
12:33But interesting.
12:34Good positive start, Barry.
12:35Yeah, sorry, Dan.
12:36And sometimes, when you're not expecting the fight that you're having, it takes you a while to get your mind
12:40closed into it.
12:41I think that's what's happened to Usyk here.
12:43But whatever he's doing, we've got to give credit to this guy.
12:46But over what he's doing, and what he's doing is spot on, he's punching long, he's using his physical strength,
12:51and he's possibly been in the fight.
12:53Well, remember Tyson Fury had all kinds of trouble with Francis Ngannou in the early rounds, and even got dropped.
12:58Right now, could very well be 3-0 for Rico Verhoeven against the best boxer in the world.
13:13It seems like no matter what happens from here on out, I think Rico's shown enough to say, hey, he's
13:17got the goods.
13:18Yeah, he really has surpassed everyone's expectations already.
13:23It's a look further than a model victory.
13:26He's got to try and capture this and shock the world.
13:29He's trying to nullify and stop and confuse Usyk with that lead hand.
13:33He just sort of taps it out, then firing that right hand as he did there.
13:37And now the right-handed Usyk's chasing the cat around the ring.
13:43Again, it's the variation, look at it.
13:45You know, a moment ago he was on the back foot, now he's on the front foot, now leaning on.
13:51And there's a bit of wasted energy there with throwing those hands so fast that there's nothing on them.
13:55But the leaning on Usyk is very important.
13:58But what that does as well, that it sends, you know,
14:03something to the judges, that you're busy, you're working, you're looking confident.
14:06Whatever!
14:11Oh, Rico got caught with one there, got off balance.
14:18Might want to settle down a little bit.
14:20Now he's been hurt there for Usyk.
14:23There's a screwshock for you in the middle of the road through the gap there from Usyk.
14:28And he knows, he's a fantastic finisher, Usyk.
14:34That's the little lead that Rico's put together about to come crashing down now here in the fourth.
14:40He's got his legs back underneath him over here for Usyk.
14:55He's done well to recover there.
15:02Of course, this is a 12-round fighting kickboxing.
15:06Rico's championship fights were five three-minute rounds.
15:08But I mentioned earlier, he did recently compete in a one-night eight-man tournament
15:12where he fought three three-round fights in a single night.
15:18The angles there, the shots here from Usyk here from Usyk.
15:23He's just flowing a lot better now, Usyk.
15:25Not loading up with the shots.
15:29I don't see Usyk now, but he's not hurt like a shot.
15:37He was coming forward there from Usyk.
15:40Lock the gun shield out.
15:42He needs to find different angles here all the time than Usyk.
15:45He stayed switched on over a couple of times there.
15:47He had his left hand lower.
15:48He got caught with a couple of right hands.
15:56Much better round four here from the champ.
16:16Yeah, better from Usyk.
16:18More offensive, more belief, finding the target a lot easier there.
16:24Yeah, that's a great shot, that is just a lovely bit of work.
16:26We've seen that a few times over his career.
16:29I tell you what though, he was unsteady on his leg fan hoover, but he recovered very, very quickly.
16:34Showing a good chin, very good stamina.
16:37And even though he looks tired in the corner, look over to Usyk's corner.
16:40He's not a little spring chicken there either.
16:42He's puffing.
16:51So is this the beginning of the end for Rico after maybe winning the first three rounds?
16:56This man back in a few weeks, Anthony Joshua.
17:00He's probably just as big, if not a big or a favorite in his fight as Usyk was tonight.
17:05Yeah, he really is.
17:07It's good to see him back.
17:09Everything he's been doing.
17:10That fight available on DAZONA's partner, ultimate subscription round five here.
17:16Between Rico and Usyk, a lot of people didn't think it'd even go this far.
17:19What was your official predictions, guys?
17:22Well, that Usyk wins anywhere he wants to, quite comfortable, and then stops it within five rounds.
17:28That's the truth of it.
17:29Yeah, but around six, seven, four mid rounds.
17:33But it hasn't been the fight we thought.
17:35Not at all.
17:37And you've got to go credit there, the master hoover, that's it.
17:41Just loaded up on that right hand for Hoeven, might as well step back on the left from Usyk.
17:48Nice left there from Usyk.
17:50Rico just coming forward methodically, trying to just walk through those punches.
17:55Really leading on.
17:56Let's bring in Mike Coppinger with a scorecard.
17:59Yeah, Todd, I mean, Rico and Usyk were incredibly impressive.
18:02I mean, an active jab.
18:03He's moving his head.
18:04He's aggressive.
18:05He's confident.
18:06Usyk did a lot better in that fourth round, but Rico's still in this fight.
18:09And no matter what happens now, we're all impressed by Rico.
18:13Yeah, I think, you know, he's ahead, but you feel tired is shifting here, is changing.
18:21Usyk, center of the ring.
18:23As I say, more active with her hands.
18:25I see him just step to his right hand side a little bit.
18:28And meet, but Hoeven is moving constantly to his left hand side with that right hook.
18:33You guys talked about all the fates that Rico was going to have to react to, that Usyk was going
18:37to give him.
18:38Rico's a faint machine, and it's fine.
18:40But also, he's constantly doing something with his hands.
18:43He's twitching with his shoulders, constantly moving around and dialing that.
18:46And then he takes the focus on that off Usyk a little bit slightly.
18:49And then when he does attack, he can't read it as good as he normally does.
18:52Again, you asked a question about Peter Fury.
18:54What does he implement?
18:55And I think, you know, the non-punching activity with the hands always fainting,
19:00you know, that's something he's put into the Hoeven for sure.
19:03Rico Verhoeven said he used to spar Tyson Fury and get destroyed every time,
19:06but he came back for more and more.
19:09And then Tyson kept inviting him to his training camp because he knew just how tough Rico was,
19:13and that he would always come forward.
19:15And that's what he's showing us here tonight.
19:19Look, another opportunity there for Usyk.
19:21Just missed the trick to throw the counter.
19:23He stepped back after Hoeven through the right hand, but yeah, didn't let the shot go.
19:28I'll tell you one thing, Usyk's not willing to trade with him.
19:35Too smart, isn't he, for that.
19:38Well, when you're as big as Rico is, you don't want to trade.
19:41Not for real.
19:51He's still moving freely, isn't he, for Hoeven?
19:55They're not a lot of moving, so if the fight goes long...
20:02This might be the most competitive round we've seen this fight.
20:05Double jab for Rico.
20:12We'll have to see Coppinger's scorecard here in a little bit.
20:14He might have given that one to the kickboxing king.
20:25Mm-hmm.
20:37How long will he push back to that?
20:38Huh?
20:39How long will he push back to that one?
20:40Yeah, yeah.
20:42Yeah, yeah, yeah.
20:43Yeah.
20:45It's a bit hard to hold.
20:51Rico.
20:54Throw lights and then put behind him.
20:57Second phase attacking.
20:58We're done.
20:58I'm going to go check it out.
20:59Yeah?
21:00Yeah?
21:00Yeah.
21:01Yeah.
21:02Yeah.
21:03Yeah.
21:07well it may not quite be
21:09kissed the cross necklace time
21:11for Usyk like he did against Tyson Fury guys
21:13but how concerned should Usyk fans
21:15be right now? I don't think there's
21:17any cause for concern right now
21:20it's just
21:21you feel there's more to come, you feel
21:23he will start with the tempo
21:25it's a good start to this sixth round
21:27from the Ukrainian
21:28but it does need to start to happen
21:31what a performance so far
21:35from Rico Verhoeven
21:37I don't know anyone
21:38who picked him to win this fight outside of his friends
21:41and family and even they probably
21:42have some real questions about it
21:46does that well
21:47when he leans on
21:49I tell you one thing as well
21:51I think Usyk might be struggling without weightless carrying here
21:53he's not heavy on he normally is
21:57and the movement
21:58the lateral movement certainly
21:59the swaying side to the side
22:01is so much less than it ever has been
22:04pretty similar stats when you look through round 5
22:07it's interesting
22:08I've seen a lot more jabs landing
22:11from Usyk
22:12I love the way when Rico gets Usyk against the ropes
22:15not only does he put his weight on him Barry
22:17but he's throwing punches and scoring points
22:19yes and even if they're not landing
22:21the impression that he's always busy
22:23and that's important for the judges eyes
22:24in rounds that might be scrappy
22:26he'll give it to the guys who's doing them all work
22:29whether it's effective or not
22:30in the end
22:33and again Rico marching forward landing punches
22:37again changing up
22:39the pace of the fight as well
22:41he's on the back foot now
22:42look trying to push Usyk back
22:44he has success for that right to the body doesn't he
22:47there is a fake there for Usyk
22:49I mean very by any metric Usyk doesn't look like Usyk tied
22:53is that because maybe he's struggling himself
22:55or is Rico making him look like this
23:00you've got to say it's Rico
23:01I mean he looks a little bit
23:02he doesn't look as in shape as he normally is
23:04Usyk
23:05but that's you can make that
23:06you can use that as an excuse
23:10you knew how to fight
23:11you never get fit for the fight
23:12you've got to get ready for the fight
23:13you've got to win the fight
23:13you've mentioned it so that leaning on
23:15he really does push on
23:17and it will throw some heavy shots
23:19and something that I don't think he's been used to Usyk
23:24well Rico is a workout fiend
23:26he never cuts corners
23:27in sensational shape at all times
23:30and right now he still looks good
23:33and has that movement
23:35constant non-stop movement
23:36that he started the fight with
23:37and you see a couple more landed jabs
23:39a nice little long left hook there as well
23:42there from the movement
23:44still nice and supple on his feet
23:47I thought by this sort of time
23:50that the spring would have gone out
23:51the step of a Hoover
23:52and it hasn't
23:58and now it's Rico's back
23:59past the ropes
24:03he just looks pathetic isn't he
24:05Usyk, Usyk
24:06he looks un-Usyk like
24:08for sure
24:10if you've never seen a fight before
24:12there's no way you think
24:13he's the number one pound for pound fighter in the world
24:15as we bring back in
24:16Alistair Overeem
24:18did you think Rico was going to make it this far?
24:21as a matter of fact
24:22I thought it would be later rounds
24:24but I thought Usyk would be more dominant
24:26so Rico is fighting a perfect fight
24:28he's using his weight
24:29he's using his combinations
24:30he's using his footwork
24:31he's not standing still
24:34and he's scoring a lot more points than I initially thought
24:37well Alistair earlier tonight
24:38you said if Rico moves a lot with those big legs
24:41he's going to get very tired in the later rounds
24:43do you still believe that?
24:45I didn't say that
24:46that was just somebody else
24:47I think Eddie Hearn
24:48I know that Rico does a lot of sprint workouts
24:50he does a lot of stair work
24:52I know his legs are very strong
24:53and I've actually never seen Rico gas
24:55in the glory fight
24:57so
24:57well my apologies
24:59for putting your words in your mouth Alistair
25:01either way
25:02Rico is shining bright right now
25:04here next to the pyramids
25:06in Egypt
25:15round 7
25:16scheduled for 12
25:18and I think anyone who's watching right now
25:20thinks Rico is probably winning this fight
25:22including our official score
25:24or our unofficial score
25:25Mike Coppinger
25:26how do you have it through 6 full rounds Mike?
25:29yeah Todd
25:30so far I have Usyk winning just the 1 round
25:33and I think Rico's been really impressive
25:36and really his defense too
25:37I mean he's making Usyk miss a lot in there
25:39his jab has been on point
25:41and I think lost in all this
25:42it's really been an entertaining fight
25:45indeed
25:46here in round 7
25:47and we're getting to a point
25:49gentlemen
25:49if Rico wins 1 or 2 more rounds in a row
25:52my math isn't great
25:53Usyk's going to need to knock down
25:54to win this fight
25:55I mean it's incredible
25:56it really is
25:57I mean it's all this non-punching activity
25:59I mean it's stopped Usyk letting his hands go
26:01he's got to be far busier
26:04and there's a lot of kickboxers watching right now
26:06who are looking at chops about
26:08hey I'm going to come to boxing
26:09I'm going to fight the champ
26:11I can hang with him
26:12nice little looping right hand there
26:14from Verhoeven
26:16Usyk throws that moving off his jab
26:20off Verhoeven's jab
26:21when he throws it
26:21he goes that spinner on the outside
26:23he's getting some work in the plate
26:24those uppercuts through the middle
26:30nice laugh from Usyk
26:34what Alistair said there
26:36it doesn't look like
26:37there's any signs of him slowing down
26:39does it Verhoeven
26:40looks fresh in there still
26:41there's a spring in the step
26:44I'm surprised with the
26:46with the mindset
26:47and the ability to
26:50work his opponent out
26:52he's not read this movement
26:54of Verhoeven
26:55constantly going to his left
26:57and now Usyk switching stances to Southpaw
27:01he just can't figure this guy out
27:10he's going to get his head down here
27:11Usyk
27:12and now Usyk going to bump it up a little bit
27:16maybe he's sensing what we are all seeing
27:19this is remarkable
27:21it really really is
27:29Rico said listen this is no fairy tale
27:31this won't be a miracle if I beat him
27:34this will be hard work dedication
27:35and a lot of discipline
27:38yes I've been fighting kickboxing
27:40for almost two decades
27:42however I've been training as the boxer for 15 years
27:46under the tutelage of Peter Fury
27:48and I'm here to showcase my skills
27:52those skills are really working right now
28:01this is incredible
28:03music doesn't have an answer
28:05but any of this at the minute
28:07he's stationary
28:08he's easy to hit
28:10and another round for Verhoeven
28:12and a good right hand right before the bell as well
28:15and Usyk kind of throws his hands up to say
28:17what's going on here
28:20and gentlemen I'll ask you
28:21what is going on here
28:22I tell you what
28:24I think
28:25well we're all going to say Usyk's out of the shape
28:27but he's not
28:27he's not ever got his head on
28:29he should be doing better
28:29but Verhoeven's boxing brilliant
28:33constantly jittery with his shoulders
28:35hard to read
28:36punching long with his long arms
28:37heavy right hand
28:38when he throws his punches
28:40you commit to the attack
28:41and it's working
28:42you're in the forward position
28:43let your right hand go
28:44yes sir
28:46and look
28:46throw light
28:48throw light to the head
28:49step in again
28:50and work your body
28:51yes sir
28:51look single shots
28:52if you've got time to recover and move
28:54yes sir
28:55throw your light shots
28:56and come in behind them
28:57yes sir
28:58but
28:59kick your foot
29:04come on
29:05could that setting we just see there
29:07be the place for one of the biggest upsets we've ever seen
29:11a look up to the gods for Alexander Usykou
29:14almost looks like he's in a trance
29:15or something in there
29:17not sure what is going on
29:19maybe he's being mesmerized
29:21by
29:22Rico Verhoeven
29:23in his second professional boxing match
29:26guys if he wins this fight
29:28he'll be the first fighter
29:30in the history of the sport
29:31to win a world title
29:33in his second professional fight
29:34and also you've got to think
29:35some of the fighters that couldn't beat Usyk
29:39that's the thing
29:40that they couldn't beat him
29:41and then this guy just walks into the sport
29:43you know
29:44and obviously the master of what he does of course
29:46in his sport
29:47but he walks into the sport
29:48and beats our champion
29:50but even if this version
29:51you were to see this version
29:52in the past of a
29:53for Hoover fighting
29:54you'd say he has no chance
29:56against Usyk
29:57but he's
29:57the unpredictability
29:59of the way he's fighting in there
30:01and the way he's leaning on
30:02and that physical presence
30:04it's been incredible
30:07I'm still just waiting for Usyk
30:09to turn it on
30:10you know
30:10we've seen so many fights
30:11over the years
30:12where a guy's losing every round
30:13and then boom
30:18Usyk
30:19he doesn't have to
30:20another right hand
30:23everything smelling like roses
30:25for Rico
30:26and another right hand
30:28he's beating the champion
30:30of the Usyk
30:31this is absolutely phenomenal
30:36what a great effort this is
30:40when will
30:41all will Usyk wake up
30:44the standard bearer
30:46for upsets in boxing history
30:48is Buster Douglas over Mike Tyson
30:49guys
30:50this wouldn't be too far behind now
30:52I tell you what
30:52he looks like
30:53he looks like a fighter
30:54if he wasn't like Dewey
30:56he's made their weight run
30:57when they're really lethargic
30:59and they can't get going
31:02but that you can't use as an excuse
31:04because he doesn't have to make weight
31:06I just think he can't beat this river
31:08he's a keeper
31:12but you know Rico still
31:13cannot afford to make one mistake
31:15because Usyk will capitalize
31:17think about all the hundreds
31:18of amateur fights he's had
31:19the undisputed run at cruiserweight
31:21the undisputed run at heavyweight
31:23he's seen almost every type of style imaginable
31:26but he can't figure out this stuff
31:29but Usyk is hitting with good shots
31:30except for that a few rounds ago
31:33when he bobbled him
31:33all the other shots
31:34are bumped off
31:35for Hulman
31:36that's a good one
31:42he's rushing him every time
31:43he's so clever that is
31:44using that massive size there you go
31:46and Usyk's fighting back
31:48when he's fighting back
31:48having to move back
31:50without moving forward
31:51into the shots
31:52and he's on the chest isn't he
31:53before he can even get the shots off
31:56more pressure now
31:58more intent from Usyk
32:00and Riko had those shots
32:08and turned around
32:09smart
32:10very very smart
32:11Diko
32:12Diko
32:12are you
32:14ADLE
32:15VAMIN
32:16FIX
32:17ADLE
32:18IS
32:19LIKE
32:19FIX
32:20FIX
32:21FIX
32:22FIX
32:22FIX
32:22FIX
32:23FIX
32:23FIX
32:24FIX
32:24FIX
32:25FIX
32:28FIX
32:37FIX
32:47I can't actually believe I'm seeing this. This is remarkable. It really is. I mean, we're waiting.
32:54As you said, you feel like Usyk at any minute is going to burst into life, but it hasn't happened
32:59yet.
32:59I mean, it was a good ending to the round from Usyk, but this effort, this performance from Verhoevenberry has
33:05been remarkable.
33:05It really has. And I think tactically, he's very, very good. Not just physically. I mean, the way that...
33:11When Usyk attacks him, he fires back and he jumps on him. He breathes, suffocates that space.
33:16And does not have Usyk any momentum to do any more work?
33:25Alright, we are heading into round nine. We'll see Mike Coppinger's unofficial scorecard in just a minute.
33:30But guys, I can't believe I'm about to say this.
33:33Alexander Usyk might need a knockout, or at least a knockdown, if he's gonna win this fight.
33:41Am I... Am I... Am I... Am I calculations correct, or am I just...
33:44They're speechless. It's madness if that's the case.
33:47Let's look at Mike's scorecard. There you have it!
33:52Mike, you're... You're lost for words!
33:54Yeah, look, I mean, like Barry said, the tactics. Peter Fury's done an amazing job here.
33:59Putting Usyk on the back foot. And Rico Verhoeven. This has been incredibly impressive.
34:05Already far more impressive, in my opinion, than anything in God or in God or in God or in God
34:09or in God or in God or in God or in God or in God or in God.
34:13Incredible stuff. And you can see again, Rico having success when he turns things physical.
34:19He just gets really close and just fires the shots into head and body.
34:23There was a nice wrap that he threw as well for Hoover. Stabbed it into the body of Usyk.
34:28You know, there was a big controversy a few weeks ago when the WBC said, you know what, hey, yeah.
34:32This is for the heavyweight championship of the world. Many people said, what? A guy with a 1-0 record?
34:37This is it. This is ridiculous. You can't put the heavyweight title on the line.
34:41Well, it is ridiculous because he had earned his shot. That's the point.
34:46Not that he's not good at it. He earned his shot to get there, but he's sure he's good enough.
34:50I mean, Usyk, I never thought I'd say this, but his feet have been awful.
34:56Really bad.
34:57He's hitting confidence from Hoover, but as well, just switch it to South Point.
35:01He's going back to all for those now. Leaning on, nullifying the work of Usyk.
35:06Throw in shots again to the body really well.
35:12All right, guys. I've just been told that in the arena, they're doing open scoring.
35:16And that they have the score right now, 76-76.
35:21Mike Coppinger, your thoughts? That's according to Mauricio Suleiman of the WBC.
35:25That's crazy. That's not really reflexive of what's going on here.
35:28I mean, I think Usyk's won two rounds at most.
35:30And look, Usyk's in the legends, and he's either the first or second best fighter in the world,
35:35power to power, but he's not winning this fight right now, or even.
35:39Well, maybe the four of us have it completely wrong, and they're right.
35:44That's better if I'm going to Usyk. There's some feints. I'm going to come into the jab.
35:47But then what we don't usually see is that there.
35:51He lands a good shot, then he got caught with one.
35:53Usually defensively so sound, Usyk.
35:5830 seconds to go here in round nine.
36:03Rico surpassing his own expectations so far.
36:06While Usyk does not look like himself.
36:21Rico has switched to the southpaw.
36:35If you go quickly to the body, how it goes, you can't go with it.
36:40You have to go from the outside.
36:42Yeah, yeah.
36:44You'll be more loose with your shots.
36:46When you fainted and you went down to the body, you had major success.
36:50So faint, get behind your jab if you move.
36:54Move your head, come in, and get down to the body.
36:57Because look, we're level in round eight.
37:00So now we've got to start winning these last rounds.
37:04But don't make mistakes, don't tire yourself.
37:07And look, don't jump around on your feet.
37:09Step.
37:13Let's go, Chico.
37:14You've got to work, okay?
37:15Ten seconds for me.
37:20Well, there doesn't seem to be any panic or any rah-rah speeches in the corner of Alexander Usyk right
37:26now.
37:26Do you think there should be, Darren?
37:27I think he needs to increase it.
37:29I think he knows what he needs to do.
37:32He always starts to round positive on the fox foot.
37:35He's about to sustain it.
37:36Again, staying switched on as well.
37:38He's been caught with shots that you wouldn't usually get caught with.
37:40I think that's the biggest point, is not so much what he's doing,
37:45but after he does the work, he's sort of switching off and getting caught by a big guy who's rushing
37:50him.
37:53Rico just keeps marching forward.
37:56Complaining that maybe Rico caught him with an accidental elbow.
37:59He's got the right idea there from Usyk on the back foot.
38:10He's right in front of us here, isn't he?
38:12And you can see how much he really does lean on Usyk.
38:18Well, win or lose, the amount of respect that Rico has earned here tonight is immeasurable.
38:27He's just not able to get on the outside there, is he?
38:29He's trying to move his feet around, but the hole was just going with him.
38:34Good.
38:35He's quite strong.
38:37A big lap from Rico, who's marching down on Usyk again.
38:44And again is Barry Usyk.
38:47That last right hand sneaks through from Verhoeven.
38:52We always praise and credit Usyk's in-ring IQ.
38:56Barry, what should he be doing right now that he just isn't?
38:58But what he should be doing from the beginning?
39:00More angles, more upper body movements, using that feet to spin on the outside
39:04and then get those shots through the middle.
39:06He's throwing the shots through the middle, but he's squared on.
39:09He's right in front of Verhoeven, so he's there to target to hit back.
39:13And also, the activity hasn't been as much as it normally is with Usyk.
39:17He's usually the busiest fighter in the ring.
39:23Is there any chance that maybe Usyk thinks he's winning this fight
39:26and is just going steady as she goes?
39:29Is there any chance?
39:30I think so.
39:33He knows he's going to do more.
39:39Haven't seen a ton of body shots from Usyk either.
39:41Something he's very good at.
39:49People were saying there's no way that Rico could out-box Usyk,
39:53but he could out-work him.
39:54And guys, I'm not arguing he might be doing both of them right now.
39:57Yeah, he's out-hustling.
39:59Usyk.
40:00That's a look at him.
40:01That's the front line.
40:03There we go.
40:05Coming to life of four it seems here at the tip.
40:11This is what we needed for Usyk.
40:14Flurry.
40:15Flurry.
40:16Flurry.
40:17Flurry.
40:17Flurry.
40:18Flurry.
40:18Flurry.
40:21Flurry.
40:23Flurry.
40:25Flurry.
40:27Flurry.
40:31Flurry.
40:35Flurry.
40:38He was the one thing that he did to do is to be a full column.
40:42So, he's as big as you.
40:43Look, he was winning that round and you switched off. Do you understand? Look, listen to me.
40:54Lovely shot there, really good. There's another cut then somewhere in the middle here, I think, for Usyk.
41:02I think he's got to start the next round, Usyk, the way he approached that.
41:07Well, certainly the last couple of minutes in that get busy, get really, really in the face now of Verhoeven.
41:15Be sharp, but every time he lands one or two, Usyk, back comes Verhoeven.
41:24We are entering the championship rounds.
41:31And Rico is right in the thick of things. A good finish to round 10, though, for the champ.
41:37It breaks my heart to say it, but these crossover fights, they sort of work, don't they?
41:45The fight could hang in the balance here over the last two.
41:50Is this where Usyk comes to life as we've seen him do in prior fights, especially against AJ in Tottenham
41:57Stadium?
41:58He's not flat-footed all night, Alexander. He's not flat-footed, he's not the slow off the mark.
42:03Can you attribute all that to the weight gain?
42:06Well, maybe, but also.
42:08Last look at Mike Carpenter's scorecard. Still pretty wide.
42:11Yeah, look, I thought Rico Verhoeven was actually winning that last round, and then Usyk really came on,
42:16and I thought he heard Rico down the stretch.
42:18I want to see Usyk really press the action now. He needs to score a knockdown, I believe.
42:24Looks like he's sharpened up a little bit in this 11th, but he hasn't kept it going, Usyk.
42:29You saw Rico use his shoulder there to push Usyk away.
42:34Double jab from Rico.
42:36Showing you the fundamentals he's picked up over the years.
42:40Oh, good shot.
42:43Peter Fury told Rico on the corner, you can't switch off even for a second against Usyk.
42:48Oh, he finished Knossi with a front hook upstairs, Usyk.
42:53You've got to dig down to the body here now, Usyk, as well.
42:56When he lifts that head up, he's under the body.
42:59Oh, stiff jab from Rico, and then he goes downstairs.
43:04Tough, isn't he?
43:06Just when I feel Usyk is close to something, to building something,
43:12but over lands or does this, grabs hold, leans on, and just stops that threat instantly.
43:20Either way, this has been a great fight from an entertainment standpoint.
43:24Blood to the nose of Usyk.
43:27There were people saying, watch this fight.
43:29It's going to be so one-sided, don't even bother.
43:33It has been anything but, in fact, Rico might well be winning.
43:39We think he is.
43:40We move that with a right-handed neck, the Hovind.
43:47Up to this point, here.
43:49The beat around for Alexander Usyk.
43:55But he can't get rid of it.
43:56There's lots of good shots there, and again, except for a bit of fatigue.
44:01Then he's taking the shots really well.
44:18What a fantastic shot that one.
44:21For Usyk.
44:22Oh, they're going to give him time to put the mouthpiece back in.
44:26Oh, he looks unsteady.
44:31Usyk's complaining about it.
44:33And he should be.
44:36Some valuable time wasted there.
44:39And now Usyk's got in the corner.
44:41Can he close the show?
44:43Rico's a challenge.
44:44What are you doing, Rockery?
44:47What are you doing?
44:49Are you kidding me?
44:51This is for the heavyweight championship of the world.
44:54I don't believe it.
44:57The corner are going crazy.
45:00But look what it means to this man here.
45:04Alarm bells were ringing.
45:06It wasn't going his way.
45:11I'll tell you what, though.
45:12They were seconds from that bell going for the end of that round.
45:15But a few more punches, I think he was done for.
45:18The entire Rico contingent in hysterics in the corner.
45:23And how can you not be?
45:25They are all shaking their heads in the verhoeven corner.
45:28Every single one of his team.
45:30I'll tell you something, though.
45:32Alexander Usyk got a little jail there.
45:34I'm telling you, he got a little jail.
45:35He might have got the stoppage in the next round.
45:37He might have got the stoppage with a couple of more shots.
45:39But he got a little jail there for sure.
45:41Well, that was a hard fight.
45:44Disaster averted for the heavyweight champion of the world
45:48as Alexander Usyk scores an 11th round KO win
45:52over the king of kickboxing.
45:55This sport gives you no security.
45:57It gives you nothing.
45:58When you think you're safe, we know where the best fight it is.
46:01We know what's going to happen.
46:03And then you get this.
46:05None of this was meant to happen.
46:06It was a lovely finish, though, from Alexander Usyk.
46:09The quality of the work.
46:10Oh, that right uppercut.
46:12Absolute peach of a shot.
46:14It really was.
46:14But again, though,
46:17it's verhoeven trying to fight.
46:20The bravery just swinging.
46:21So he was fatigued, a little bit hurt.
46:24But swinging got him into trouble.
46:26He got too greedy.
46:27No, he did not just take it.
46:28I mean, you know, Usyk's so tired.
46:29But rather than Usyk's smart and take a break, he's going,
46:33this is not how I fight.
46:34This is not how I fight.
46:35I'm going to fight like a champion.
46:36Just put it on him.
46:37Put it on him.
46:37Like, it's worked all night for me.
46:40Wow.
46:41I mean, it tells you something when the referee has to get between two men fighting each other
46:45to stop the fight.
46:46What?
46:46What?
46:47We've already said this throughout, but what a superb effort that was for Hoeven.
46:52Whether you agree with the stoppage or not, you cannot disagree.
46:56That was superb, what he was able to do there.
47:01Well, champions find ways to win, and that's what Alexander did here in the 11th round.
47:13That was just nothing of what we would have thought we were going to see tonight.
47:17From start to finish, that wasn't the fight that we thought we were going to see.
47:24Well, either way, great entertainment tonight here from Egypt,
47:28and we expect the same thing Saturday, June 27th.
47:31Xander Zayas taking on Boots Ennis, and a big one in Brooklyn.
47:37That's part of your ultimate package live here on DAZN.
47:42Mike Coppager will bring you back in here right now.
47:44What did you think of that stoppage?
47:45I mean, that was a terrible stoppage.
47:47Look, Usyk would have stopped him.
47:49Let's be real.
47:49I think he would have stopped him, and the referee made a bad decision
47:52giving him more time with the mouthpiece.
47:54You don't put the mouthpiece back in when the fighter's in trouble.
47:57So I think Usyk would have stopped him in the next round anyway,
48:00but a bad stoppage, and what it really does is it robs Usyk of a more clear victory too.
48:04But hey, look, maybe we see a rematch, right?
48:07The thing is as well, the ending was so close to the fight,
48:12not just Usyk winning.
48:13We don't know, as Barry said, you don't know if he would have got the stoppage,
48:16but the end was so close.
48:19I think you've got to do it.
48:20You're talking about the end of the round.
48:21The end of the round, the end of the fight even.
48:22Look, it was around the way.
48:24You know, you've got to give the guy who's winning the fight every chance.
48:27Can we just say one thing?
48:28The master boxer, we all agree that he's the master boxer, Alexander Usyk,
48:33was behind, he must have been behind.
48:34That just blows my mind.
48:36Forget about the stopping.
48:37He was behind in a fight against someone who's only had one professional fight.
48:42It's just that I can't get my head around that.
48:44You can see the disappointment on the face of Rico.
48:46A lot of people would think, hey, he should be happy with his performance,
48:49but that's not the kind of man and athlete he is.
48:52He only fights to win.
48:55Here's Michael Buffer.
48:58Ladies and gentlemen, after 10 great rounds, we go into round 11.
49:03Referee Mark Lyson has to step in and call a halt to the bout.
49:07Two minutes, 59 seconds of round number 11.
49:13The winner by TKO victory.
49:16Still undefeated and still the ring.
49:19WBC, WBA, universally recognized, lineal, undefeated,
49:26heavyweight champion of the world,
49:38Oleksandr Eelsen.
49:41It's not the win we expected him to get,
49:43or the way we expected him to get it,
49:45but he did the job.
49:46One second left in round 11.
49:49And that's how this fight ends.
49:53What scenes here in Egypt?
49:56Let's give him a hand from the Netherlands,
49:59Rico Verhoeven!
50:08That was unbelievable.
50:10I mean, it was nuts.
50:11The takeaway from this,
50:12and the one who gets all the credit,
50:13even in defeat,
50:15is Rico Verhoeven.
50:16He gets all that credit.
50:17The way he boxed the smarts,
50:19he was intelligent with his work.
50:20He used that physical strength.
50:22The punches were good.
50:23He showed a great chin.
50:25I mean,
50:26he got all the ingredients
50:27to be a fantastic boxer.
50:28I mean,
50:29whether he wants to go back to kickboxing,
50:30but I know he's the king of that,
50:32he was always the king of this sport.
50:33I'll tell you what,
50:34they've seen some sights,
50:36those pyramids.
50:36They've seen some changes.
50:38They've seen some remarkable things
50:40in the thousands of years
50:41they've been there.
50:42But that would have been
50:43one of the most strangest things
50:45they ever would have experienced.
50:48Yeah, look,
50:48I just want to say,
50:49Rico Verhoeven,
50:50I still would have had him up
50:51going into that 12th round,
50:52even with the knockdown.
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