UK Boxing
Eddie Hearn’s verdict on Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Rico Verhoeven
Eddie Hearn detailed Oleksandr Usyk’s stoppage win over Rico Verhoeven.
Verhoeven pushed Usyk until the 11th round, causing many to question the Ukrainian’s preparation. However, Hearn disagreed.
Last weekend, he became the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion of the world returned during a historic event organized by Turki Alalshikh and The Ring magazine in front of the historic Giza Pyramids.
Usyk faced kickboxing icon Verhoeven in a fight that many thought would be straightforward for the champion, but it wasn’t.
The Dutchman gave a phenomenal performance and, in the eyes of many people, gave Usyk the toughest test of his career so far.
Hearn spoke to Fighting Hub TV and praised the challenger’s performance.
“You can’t take anything away from Rico, what he did was amazing.
“He was so unconventional, that’s one of the arduous things for a boxer, but normally Usyk would adapt to the style and find a way.
“I thought he was behind after 10 rounds. I thought the break was early, I thought the bell rang.
“He was unbelievable, so astute against the smartest in Usyk. It was great.”
Controversy surrounding the victory emerged already during the break. Verhoeven was ahead on many people’s scorecards and was eliminated in the 11th round with just 10 seconds left.
Usyk set up a series of attacks and referee Mark Lyson stepped in to stop the fight, even though the final shots appeared to have been thrown after the buzzer.
Although Hearn believed Verhoeven was in danger and could have been stopped in the final round, he believed the referee’s decision was wrong.
“I think he probably would have stopped him in the 12th minute, but we were robbed of finding out about it and Rico deserved to see what he could do in the 12th.”
Many questioned the winner’s preparation and whether he had taken Verhoeven seriously beforehand. Hearn provided insight into what could have changed during this camp.
“I think Usyk will always take it seriously, but the reality is he’s a guy who values legacy and this was a money fight.
“It wasn’t a fight he asked for, it was a fight that was presented to him and they said, ‘Yes, we’ll take it.’
“The others talked about legacy, about becoming a two-time, three-time undisputed world champion.”
Following Usyk’s victory, his next step remains unknown, but the promoter has outlined what he believes the ideal route will be before the 39-year-old finally leaves the sport.
“If I were Usyk, I would have a rematch with Rico Verhoeven right away in the Netherlands and probably end my career there.
“I don’t think he has to fight Kabayel, who is a great fighter, but what does he have to prove?”
The post Eddie Hearn’s Verdict on Oleksandr Usyk’s Rico Verhoeven Victory appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Saturday in Houston, Texas, O’Shaquie Foster will defend his WBC super featherweight world title in a hard-fought clash with former world champion Raymond Ford.
Foster will face Ford at the Fertitta Center, live on DAZN worldwide.
The two exchanged words throughout the build-up, and their rivalry ended on Tuesday when Foster pushed aside his rival as they came face-to-face for the first time during fight week.
Ford returned the favor at Thursday’s final news conference by shoving his compatriot before security separated them from further altercations.
Foster (24-3, 12 KO) reigns for a second time as the WBC super featherweight world champion, regaining the belt after losing it in a controversial split decision loss to Robson Conceicao.
The 32-year-old defeated Conceicao in an immediate rematch and was scheduled to defend his title against Stephen Fulton Jr. in December.
However, after Fulton missed weight, the pair instead fought for the WBC interim lightweight title, with Foster winning comfortably on points.
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The Texan vacated the belt to keep the 130-pound belt, which he defends on Saturday.
Ford (18-1-1, 8 KO) was previously the WBA featherweight world champion, winning a dramatic result last round stoppage over Otabek Kholmatov in 2024 to take the crown.
“Savage” was defeated a split decision in his first defense against Nick Balla failure that encouraged him to gain weight.
The 27-year-old Modern Jersey native has since won three straight games, surpassing Abraham Nova in his last appearance in August.
Sheehy comes face to face with Teran
Rising lightweight Charlie Sheehy looks to continue his undefeated streak against Nike Theran.
Sheehy (12-0, 7 KO) is undefeated in 12 professional fights, and Theran (20-2, 14 KO) retired after seven rounds against Justin Pauldo when the two shared a card in November.
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Jones is back
Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones (6-0, 4 KO) returns to action, and the super welterweight prospect can break Diego Osuna Zuniga’s (9-0, 6 KO) record with a points victory.
Undercard remaining
Former world title challenger Miguel Flores (29-5-1, 13 KO) should have enough strength to defeat Javon Woodard Jr (3-3, 2 KO) at the distance in the featherweight division.
Newark southpaw Zaquin Moses (6-0, 3 KO) should remain undefeated with a points victory over Travis Crawford (7-6, 2 KO) at 130 pounds.
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18-year-old super featherweight prospect Julian Montalvo (6-0, 4 KO) could become the first man to stop Maximus Moya (3-3, 2 KO), and Frank Espinoza (3-0, 3 KO) could do the same against middleweight Bryce Blackwell (4-2, 1 KO).
Jahyden Franklin Britton (8-0, 5 KO) can stop Najee West (9-2, 4 KO) in a super middleweight fight.
The post O’Shaquie Foster vs. Raymond Ford – Substantial Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Rolando Romero didn’t mince his words when discussing a possible Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn clash later this year.
Romero expressed doubts about signing the Garcia vs. Benn contract, even though the American claimed that the fight was sealed.
Recently appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, “King Ry” stated that he has signed a contract to fight the Briton On September 12, during the first defense of the WBC welterweight title.
He won the belt in his last fight against Mario Barrios, defeating him in the first round before winning by unanimous decision.
Garcia has been linked to several fights over the past 12 months, including Benn, a rematch with Devin Haney and an immediate second fight with Romero himself.
“Rolly” passed Garcia last May and spoke to professional boxing fans on her behalf CampoBet AND Betinia about the 27-year-old withdrawing from the rematch.
“Ryan Garcia is the guy who calls everyone out and does nothing.
“How many people did Ryan Garcia draft last year?
“The only guy he hasn’t called out is me because he knows I’ll basically beat him up.”
He also didn’t hold back when discussing Garcia’s claim of a September 12 comeback and called him one of the worst figures in sports.
“Ryan Garcia is one of the worst.
“Do you believe the guy who literally fought an incredibly exhausted, burnt out Barrios?
“Can you believe a guy who says he’s never taken steroids?
“The whole boxing world is amazing, but Ryan is one of the worst.”
Romero then presented his predictions for how a possible fight between the pair would play out and gave “The Destroyer” little chance of dethroning Garcia.
“Do I believe that Ryan Garcia really wants to fight Conor Benn and dislocate his jaw because Conor Benn is the easiest fighter in boxing? Yes.”
“Anyone would take free meat.”
Romero has been out of the ring for over 12 months and also opened up after the fight that ended between him and Benn.
He claimed that the fight was to take place on May 30, when he defended his WBA title for the first time.
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Conor said he was going to fight me.
“We agreed on May 30.
“We had already finalized the transaction.
“Dude is a fan of mine. He sends me selfies when he’s bored.
“He does what he has to do. He has to support his family.”
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The post Rolando Romero casts doubt on Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn fight appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
O’Shaquie Foster is the bookmaker’s favorite to beat Raymond Ford in Saturday’s super featherweight world title clash.
Foster (24-3, 12 KO) will face Ford (18-1-1, 8 KO) at the Fertitta Center in Houston, Texas, live on DAZN.
“Ice Water” is world champion for the second time, but he was unable to defend the belt v. Stephen Fulton Jr he last dropped out after his opponent missed the scales, although he defeated his compatriot by unanimous decision.
The 32-year-old is the favorite of 4/7 players Bet365 beat his compatriot.
The home favorite has won by decision in his last two matches and is expected to do the same here at 1-1.
Foster’s last stoppage win came in 2023 and he is rated at 6/1 to win the distance.
A former featherweight champion, Ford is a 5/4 underdog Bet365 become a two-time world champion.
The Modern Jersey native has won three times by rebounding since his only defeat to Nick Ball, and his best chance of winning comes from a decision taken at 12/5, with a break-time win priced at 13/2.
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
- O’Shaquie Foster will win the fight: 4/7
- O’Shaquie Foster by KO/TKO/DQ: 6/1
- O’Shaquie Foster by decision or technical decision: 1/1
- Raymond Ford will win the fight: 5/4
- Raymond Ford by KO/TKO/DQ: 13/2
- Raymond Ford by decision or technical decision: 5/12
Round bets
O’Shaquie Foster
- Win in round 1: 100/1
- Win in round 2: 100/1
- Win in round 3: 100/1
- Win in round 4: 50/1
- Win in round 5: 50/1
- To win in round 6: 40/1
- To win in round 7: 40/1
- To win in round 8: 33/1
- To win in round 9: 33/1
- To win in round 10: 33/1
- To win in round 11: 40/1
- To win in round 12: 40/1
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 1/1
Raymond Ford
- Win in round 1: 100/1
- Win in round 2: 100/1
- Win in round 3: 100/1
- To win in round 4: 80/1
- Win in round 5: 66/1
- Win in round 6: 50/1
- To win in round 7: 40/1
- To win in round 8: 40/1
- To win in round 9: 40/1
- To win in round 10: 40/1
- To win in round 11: 40/1
- To win in round 12: 50/1
- Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 5/12
The post O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
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