Boxing
Usyk and Verhoeven exchanged words at a press conference in London
Published
1 month agoon
Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven met face-to-face in London on Tuesday for the official press conference ahead of their WBC heavyweight title fight, which will take place on May 23 at the Giza Pyramids in Egypt. The event, called “Glory in Giza” and promoted by Ring Magazine, will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KO) will be the first defense of the final chapter of a career that has resulted in undisputed titles in two weight classes. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts, has not fought since he stopped Daniel Dubois in five rounds at Wembley Stadium in July last year. On stage, he was characteristically placid and philosophical, often smiling as he addressed reporters.
“For once I want to do what I want and not what is needed, because most of the time I do what others need,” Usyk said, explaining why he chose to voluntarily defend himself against a non-boxing fighter. “You have to box like that.” I say, “Okay, okay, okay.” Now I do what I need.”
Asked specifically about Verhoeven, Usyk briefly replied: “He’s a great guy. He’s a risky guy.”
Verhoeven is planning a crossover
Verhoeven, 37, did most of the talking. The Dutchman, who was the Glory Kickboxing heavyweight champion for over 11 years in a row and set a record in this discipline of 60-10, is making only his second professional boxing appearance. His lone fight took place in 2014 and ended with a second-round knockout of undefeated János Finfera.
The path to Usyk was not the original plan. Verhoeven revealed that a fight with Anthony Joshua had been planned since February, before Joshua’s December car accident in Nigeria, which tragically killed two members of his inner circle, forced a change of direction.
“There was a fight, there was just a tragic accident and that’s what derailed everything,” Verhoeven said. The conversation progressed from there. “I said, ‘What about Usyk? That makes sense. Undisputed versus undisputed.’ So that’s what happened.”
Verhoeven said the crossover concept was his own idea. “We were the ones who reported it,” he told reporters. “Hey, we have an idea, what about Undisputed vs. Undisputed? What do you think? They said we liked it and that’s how this fight happened.”
He acknowledged that the mainstream boxing audience may not know his credentials, but pointed to the WBC kickboxing and Muay Thai divisions as a bridge of legitimacy. “It made sense to them,” Verhoeven said. “He’s one of the best, if not the best kickboxer of all time. So he has his credentials, so fighting for the title makes sense.”
The size, power and form factor of a kickboxer
The physical discrepancy between the two men was evident on stage. Verhoeven, who is 6-foot-10 and weighs about 275 pounds, dwarfs the naturally built, cruiserweight Usyk, who typically steps into the ring before 220. That’s a weight difference of about 50 to 55 pounds, and Verhoeven wasn’t trying to downplay it.
“When I give him my best punch, of course he will fall because it’s almost a 20-kilogram difference in weight,” Verhoeven said. “He’s a developed cruiserweight. I was born heavyweight, so that’s a massive difference. It’ll happen if I let my best shot get a immaculate shot. And if I don’t, we’ll just win.”
It was a confident but measured performance from a fighter who understands the skepticism surrounding the matchup. Verhoeven admitted that coach Peter Fury had improved his boxing fundamentals and referred to previous sparring sessions with Tyson Fury as part of his preparation. Peter Fury, speaking from the stage, noted that Verhoeven gave up bigger paydays in other combat sports to take on this particular challenge.
“To be the best, you have to beat the best,” Verhoeven said. “I think to be the best at what you do, you have to be a little crazy.”
What does this fight mean for the heavyweight division?
The WBC’s decision to sanction a fighter’s voluntary title defense with one professional boxing fight was met with criticism from part of the boxing community. The fight raised eyebrows among those who believe that proven boxers should fight for the heavyweight championship. However, the WBC cited Verhoeven’s standing in kickboxing and its own combat sports divisions as justification, and Usyk’s track record in taking on every significant challenge in the sport gives him considerable leeway.
For Usyk, who has said he plans to fight three more times before he retires, the Verhoeven fight will be the first of those final chapters. The heavyweight division is still crowded after May 23: Fabio Wardley will defend his WBO title against Daniel Dubois on May 9, Anthony Joshua is expected to return to fighting in the summer, and Tyson Fury’s future depends on his recent return. Usyk placed himself above all this, having the freedom to choose his opponents on his own terms.
Eddie Hearn, speaking during the Q&A press conference, reminded Verhoeven that a victory over Usyk would open the door to a potential fight with Joshua, adding another layer to an already extraordinary promotional narrative.
The meeting was tense but respectful. In the co-main event, Hamzah Sheeraz will face Al Begic for the vacant WBO middleweight title, while Jack Catterall will face Shakhram Giyasov for the regular WBA welterweight title. as announced by Ring magazine.
The central question remains whether Verhoeven’s size, power and unorthodox angles will translate to a fight of Usyk’s caliber. History says this won’t happen. Verhoeven, however, is counting on the opportunity to rewrite history at the foot of the pyramids, and Usyk, for his part, seems perfectly joyful to let him try.
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Boxing
Amanda Serrano connects Christa Martin’s knockout record with title defense in El Paso
Published
10 minutes agoon
May 31, 2026
Serrano defeated Hanson and forced the referee to stoppage at 2:25 of the second round in the main event of MVPW-03.
The seven-division world champion spent the first round studying Hanson before dramatically increasing the pressure in the second. Serrano backed the challenger towards the ropes and unloaded combinations that Hanson couldn’t respond to. After taking a sustained attack, the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.
The victory improved Serrano’s record to 49-4-1 with 32 knockouts, while Hanson dropped to 17-3.
After the fight, Serrano admitted that the three-minute rounds helped her break down her opponents more effectively.
“First of all, I want to thank Cheyenne for taking the fight. She’s a must. She came to fight. She came to win,” Serrano said. “Three minutes we have to set up our shots. In the first round I was trying to figure it out, trying to hit it. When I went to the corner, I told Jordan, ‘I’ve got it.’ I just felt it. Now I understood it.
Serrano added that extended rounds give players more opportunities to create offense.
“I think these three minutes give us more time to have fun here. That’s what I did. I had fun.”
The knockout also moved Serrano level with Martin at the top of the women’s boxing record books, which she acknowledged immediately after the fight.
“I might break the next one,” Serrano said when asked about surpassing Martin’s level. “I can do 50 and break it the next one. Let’s go. That’s the goal.”
The performance took place in front of the largest combat sports crowd ever hosted at the El Paso County Coliseum. Serrano thanked fans for supporting women’s boxing and helping elevate the sport.
“This is what we need for this sport to grow. Sold out arenas. Not only for me. I’m very elated that women can sell themselves and we are showing, proving day by day, fight by fight, that we can sell ourselves. The fans want to see us,” Serrano said.
At 37 years senior, Serrano remains undefeated in the featherweight division and continues to break a record that already ranks her among the greatest fighters in women’s boxing history. One more victory could secure two more milestones: her 50th career victory and her sole possession of the all-time record for women’s knockouts.

Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most significant fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.
Boxing
Amanda Serrano broke her impressive KO record with her latest victory
Published
2 hours agoon
May 31, 2026
Amanda Serrano is currently tied for the most knockouts in women’s boxing after a quick win over Cheyenne Hanson.
Serrano scored a dominant second-round victory against Hanson in Texas, successfully defending her WBA and WBO featherweight world titles.
The Puerto Rican star controlled the game from the opening bell and quickly proved he was better than his opponent, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:25 of the second round after a series of sustained punches.
The victory had additional historic significance for Serrano, who recorded the 32nd stoppage victory of her professional career, tying icon Christy Martin for the most KO victories in women’s boxing history.
The seven-division world champion, with a 49-4-1 record and 32 knockouts, continues to establish herself as one of the greatest fighters of all time and appears no closer to slowing down despite a career that has spanned nearly two decades.
After the fight, she celebrated appropriately and once again talked about the three-minute rounds for which she gave up the WBC belt in 2023.
“It’s my time. With the three minutes we have to set up shots. I felt it in the first round. But I think those three minutes gave us more time to have fun and that’s what I did, I had fun.”
“I can break the knockout record in my next fight. I can get my 50th win and break Christa Martin’s knockout record.”
The fight was on the undercard of Holly Holm vs. Stephanie Han rematchwhich once again worked out in Han’s favor, albeit controversially, and capped off the third women’s MVP tournament.
Boxing
O’Shaquie Foster defeated Raymond Ford for the WBC title
Published
4 hours agoon
May 31, 2026
The fight started with immediate drama. Foster came out aggressive and sent Ford into a frenzy at the end of the first round during an exchange. No points were deducted and the fight continued after a low break.
Ford entered the fight in the second round, finding success with his speed and counterattacks. He landed several pointed shots to the left hand and body, making Foster pay when the champion became too aggressive.
The competition was fierce in the first rounds. Foster pressed forward with combinations and right hands, while Ford relied on timing and accuracy to score on counters. Neither fighter managed to take full control in the first half of the fight.
As the fight progressed, Foster gradually found his rhythm. He increased his punching power, landed his combinations consistently and used effective pressure to force Ford to work harder. The champion’s best stretch came in the middle rounds, when he repeatedly took Ford to right hands and controlled most of the action.
Ford still had his moments, especially when attacking the body and taking shots down the left wing, but Foster’s activity and command in the ring allowed him to move ahead on the scorecards. Ford rallied in the later rounds and finished several exchanges strongly, although Foster remained composed and finished the fight well enough to secure the decision.
After 12 rounds, Foster defended his title in front of his hometown fans and immediately turned his attention to greater opportunities at 130 pounds.
Woodward stops Flores
Featherweight fighter Javon “Pop” Woodward improved to 18-2 (16 KOs) after an eighth-round stoppage of veteran Miguel Flores.
Woodward dropped Flores in the second round with a chopping right hand and continued to apply pressure throughout the fight. Flores showed great determination, fighting through a cut above his left eye and firing multiple times despite taking weighty punishment.
The fight continued until the eighth round, when Woodward scored two more knockdowns. Flores got up from the second, but after the third knockdown he was unable to beat the counter, ending the fight at 2:31 of the round.
Sheehy smashes Theran
Lightweight prospect Charlie Sheehy remained undefeated, improving to 13-0 (8 KO) with a ninth-round knockout of Nike Theran.
Sheehy controlled the fight from the opening bell with disciplined jabbing, true right hands and consistent bodywork. Theran showed resilience and endured some complex moments, but Sheehy’s constant attack gradually wore him down.
After dominating most of the contest, Sheehy finally ended the fight in the ninth round when a right hand dropped Theran for a full count.
Jones flows past Osuna
2024 Olympic bronze medalist Omari Jones improved to 7-0 (4 KO) after winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Diego Osuna.
Jones started quickly, scoring a first-round knockdown with a left hook. From that point on, he controlled the fight with his jabs, movement, and excellent boxing skills.
Osuna showed toughness, surviving several perilous moments, but Jones consistently outplayed him in the remaining rounds, scoring 80-71 on all three cards.
Moses remains undefeated
Lightweight prospect Zaquin Moses improved to 7-0 (3 KO) with a six-round unanimous decision over Travis Crawford.
Moses controlled most of the fight with incredible speed and accuracy, landing cleaner punches throughout the fight. Crawford remained competitive and had the most success in the final round, but Moses responded well and finished the fight strongly, scoring three identical scores of 60-54.
Early results
Super featherweight prospect Julian Montalvo improved to 7-0 (5 KO) after stopping Maximus Moya in the fourth round. Montalvo worked the body intensely throughout the fight before forcing the referee to stop the action at 2:16 of the fourth round.
Middleweight prospect Frank Espinoza improved to 4-0 (4 KO) when a corner kick from Bryce Blackwell stopped the fight ten seconds into the fourth round. Espinoza controlled the action from the first bell and repeatedly hurt Blackwell in the third round.
Super middleweight Jahyden Britton improved to 9-0 (6 KO) after stopping Najee West in the fourth round. Britton scored three knockdowns with body shots before the fight was stopped at 2:58 of the fourth round.
Ken Hissner is a senior boxing journalist at Boxing News 24 with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Known for his in-ring reporting, detailed results and historical perspective, he provides authoritative coverage of boxing through the eras.
Amanda Serrano connects Christa Martin’s knockout record with title defense in El Paso
Amanda Serrano broke her impressive KO record with her latest victory
O’Shaquie Foster defeated Raymond Ford for the WBC title
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