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Usyk, Verhoeven and Alalshikh react after Giza stoppage

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The reaction came quickly after Oleksandr Usyk’s 11th-round stoppage of Rico Verhoeven at the Giza Pyramids on Saturday, with the winner, loser and heavyweight architects weighing in on the outcome and what would come next.

Usyk dedicates the victory to Ukraine

Usyk briefly outlined his immediate assessment. “I’m winning, that’s good,” he said. He then turned to his opponent. “Rico is an amazing fighter. He prepared very well. It was a tough fight. He’s a threatening guy. Substantial, forceful, full of heart. Respect for him.”

A Ukrainian whose family is still affected by the war in the country said his daughter contacted her before the official result was announced. “My people are under bombs right now. My daughter is in a bomb shelter and she texted me, ‘Dad, I love you. You win.’ She was scared but ecstatic. This victory belongs to the entire Ukrainian nation.” He added: “Thank you, my Lord Jesus Christ.”

When asked about his future, Usyk again raised the prospect of fighting Tyson Fury, who has been retired since early 2025. “I’m sure Tyson Fury is not retired. He wants this fight, I want this fight. We’ll see,” Usyk said. “I have two, maybe three fights left.”

Verhoeven: “I showed I belonged”

Verhoeven, who was competing in just his second professional boxing fight, felt the fight was tighter than the ending suggested. “I thought the fight was close and maybe even close in the later rounds,” he said. He accepted referee Mark Lyson’s decision, noting he was still on his feet with seconds until the bell, and called the evening a learning experience.

“I came here to shock the world and showed that I belong to this team. Usyk is the best for a reason. Huge respect,” said Verhoeven. He made it clear that he intended to stay in the sport. “I’m here to stay as a boxer. I’m not here to compete, I’m here to take control.”

Verhoeven’s coach, Peter Fury, said the break was fair, adding that his fighter was exhausted and would likely have been stopped in the 12th round anyway.

Alalshikh looks to Germany and Istanbul

Turki Alalshikh immediately moved on to Usyk’s next steps, confirming that he will meet with the champion to discuss a potential fight with Agit Kabayel in Germany in delayed 2026. He also announced a bigger event for Usyk in Istanbul, near Hagia Sophia, in 2027.

Kabayel, the WBC interim heavyweight champion, has long been pushing for this fight. “Usyk will have to fight me next,” he said. “Normally he has to fight me, Usyk. I hope I’ll be next in line.” Kabayel called Saturday’s fight a spectacle rather than a real sporting test, calling it an “exhibition fight.”

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

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Derek Chisora Slams Dana White Regarding Fighter Treatment Issues

Derek Chisora accused Dana White of operating like a “slave owner,” but Conor Benn’s lucrative move to Zuffa Boxing offers a substantial counterpoint to the heavyweight’s attack.

Chisora’s complaint centered on White turning fighters away from his platform. That hardly explains the comparison, especially with Benn reportedly collecting $15 million for his first Zuffa appearance alone.

“Dana White is not my cup of tea, to be honest with you,” Chisora said in an interview with Fight Hub TV following the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua press conference. “Because the way he operates is just, he operates like a slave owner, man. You know, fighters want to fight on his platform. He tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What is a fighter going to do? What is he going to do after that? That’s not right.”

Benn’s experience makes that accusation difficult to defend. His reported $15 million purse for facing Regis Prograis was followed by a world-title opportunity against Ryan Garcia. White’s platform has delivered both substantial money and a major fight for the British welterweight.

One boxer’s earnings cannot answer every question about a promoter’s treatment of fighters. But Chisora supplied no named example to support his accusation. Benn gives readers something concrete to weigh against it.

Chisora also argued that a fighter who performs poorly one night can improve the next time. Fair enough. Promoters still have to decide whom to sign, how many places they can offer, and which fights they want to stage. Wanting a contract does not create an entitlement to one.

His example concerns access to White’s platform, rather than restrictions imposed on someone already fighting there. Those are different issues, and Chisora never explained how rejection justified his language.

Asked about the dispute between Eddie Hearn and White, Chisora made his personal dislike clear. What he failed to provide was an argument strong enough to carry such a loaded accusation.

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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown

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"Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury: Live London Press Conference Showdown"

The long-awaited, all-British heavyweight blockbuster between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua is officially set for December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Backed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, the defining clash will see both men pocket a career-high purse and settle the debate – to a degree – of this generation’s best UK heavyweight.

After more than a decade of false starts and fractured negotiations, the two former heavyweight champions will finally settle their rivalry in what promises to be the biggest commercial event in British boxing history. Broadcast rights have been secured by Netflix for a global audience and Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao may appear on the undercard, despite turning 49 one week after the event.

Crucially, Joshua’s camp held firm during negotiations to ensure the bout remained on domestic soil. Despite the potential for more lucrative offers overseas, ‘AJ’ refused to budge on the location, and the pair meet today in London to make it official.

Fans can watch live via the stream below, with the proceedings expected to kick off at 6 PM – though delays and gamesmanship may be a factor.