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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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Terence Crawford won’t let fans rewrite his Errol Spence victory

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Image: Terence Crawford Won't Let Fans Rewrite His Errol Spence Victory

The post comes after renewed discussion about Spence’s physical condition ahead of their July 2023 undisputed welterweight championship clash. Spence revealed that he dealt with injuries, restricted sparring and other issues during camp, while maintaining that he was not making excuses for the loss.

Many fans pointed to concerns that existed even before the Crawford fight. Spence was involved in a sedate car accident in 2019 and underwent eye surgery.

Debate about Spence’s condition raged ahead of the Crawford fight, with some pointing to his bouts with Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas.

Others note that Spence appeared noticeably bigger between fights in the years leading up to the Crawford fight, which fueled questions about weight management and the consequences of repeatedly gaining 147 pounds.

Crawford’s supporters say these concerns ignore what happened on fight night. Crawford dropped Spence three times and stopped him in the ninth round, putting on one of the most dominant performances ever seen in a welterweight championship main event.

The debate continues, partly because Crawford’s subsequent appearances have not received the same acclaim. His victory over Israil Madrimov in the junior middleweight division was competitive, and his victory over Canelo Alvarez was met with criticism from some fans who expected a more aggressive performance.

Instead of delivering the offensive display many fans expected, Crawford delivered a disciplined, tactical performance built on striking, movement and defensive awareness.

For many boxing fans, it is no longer a question of whether Crawford deserved the victory over Spence. The argument centers on whether the version of Spence he defeated is still at the same level as the fighter who unified the titles and established himself as one of the sport’s elite welterweights.

With Spence’s match against Tim Tszyu scheduled for July 25 in Sydney, Australia, Crawford’s message suggests he has no interest in revisiting ancient debates and doesn’t want his greatest victory reinterpreted through the prism of Spence’s recent comments.

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Taylor Bevan on up-to-date coaching staff and first 10-round test: “It came at the perfect time”

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Taylor Bevan on new training team and first 10-round test: “It’s come at the perfect time”

Taylor Bevan’s collaboration with Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis clearly came at the perfect time, ahead of his first 10-round fight against Ryszard Lewicki.

The 25-year-old has been making steady progress in the professional code, but now he seems to be approaching the toughest task of his career so far.

Not only does he face a credible opponent, but Bevan, who was an outstanding amateur, must also perform on the greatest stage he has ever encountered.

It’s fitting, then, that the talented prospect has joined forces with esteemed coaches Moore and Travis, knowing that basing himself in Manchester is a sacrifice worth making.

“They’re just two very experienced coaches. I went there to try them out and I immediately clicked well with them.

“Obviously they have a top stable of boxers – a lot of guys who are further down the journey than me.

“I can learn from a lot of people like that, and there’s a great atmosphere in the gym, which I missed before. I’m used to training alone, so I really came from the other end of the spectrum.

“Moving four or five hours away from home is a large commitment, but at this point in my career I’m willing to make sacrifices. I believe they will pay off in the future.”

One of the benefits of training in Manchester is that Bevan is closer, or at least closer than in Southampton, to top-flight super middleweight sparring.

As a result, he was fortunate to share his rounds with Callum Simpson, who will face Troy Williamson on August 8 before facing Lewicki.

“Yes, amazing sparring. He’s at the highest level in my weight, and he’s massive for his weight. I fought him eight rounds [around two weeks ago] and I played another eight rounds with him [last week].

“I don’t think you can get a better sparring match than this. It fills me with the greatest confidence for my next fight, that I’m in great shape and prepared for anything.”

Bevan will clash with Lewicki at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton this Saturday. appearing on the match card Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi.

Bevan continues to sign with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing but this is Bevan’s second appearance on the Queensberry Promotions show simply because the offer to take part in his first professional competition in Southampton was too good to refuse.

The goal, as always, is to present a spectacular performance and win, although Bevan does not rule out the possibility of covering the full distance of 10 rounds.

“I think the timing is perfect – Tom Dallas from Matchroom has matched me brilliantly so far.

“I was ready to go eight rounds in my last few fights, but it didn’t happen. In a way, it’s good to blow people away because you get those knockouts when it matters most, and 8-0 (8 KO) looks great on my record.”

“But at the same time, I wouldn’t be disappointed if I went 10 rounds in my next fight because that would be a good progression in my career. I have to go the distance at some point, so why not do it now?”

Indeed, Bevan has established himself as a clinical knockout artist, but he sees himself more as a mischievous technician than a total puncher.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a destructive boxer [stablemate] Pat Brown, but I would say [I get the stoppages with] astute boxing. When I launch, I look where [the opponent] leaves itself open.

“I always felt my style would suit the pros because I like to think about things and be more calculated, whereas the amateurs are very speedy and furious.

“I have always been an athletic guy and it was often my heart, determination and will to win that helped me survive these amateur fights.”

Although he boasts an excellent amateur record, Bevan is aware that he could be drawn into something of a “dogfight” against Lewicki. Fortunately, however, he should have plenty of supporters who will motivate him at any time of danger.

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Sergio Mora fears Errol Spence may be beaten in match against Tim Tszyu after three-year break

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Image: Sergio Mora Fears Errol Spence Could Take A Beating Against Tim Tszyu After Three-Year Layoff

Former world champion and DAZN commentator Sergio Mora fears that Errol Spence may be taking too huge a risk by returning straight to fight Tim Tszyu after a three-year absence.

The fight between Spence (36) and the former WBO junior middleweight champion will take place on July 25 in Sydney, Australia. The fight will be Spence’s first appearance since his ninth-round loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023.


“Spence chose not to correct [being victorious] it takes its toll too, man. It gets confusing in your brain, even when you win, and then during all the sparring sessions,” Sergio Mora said on DAZN Boxing.

Mora also pointed to Spence’s defensive style as another cause for concern.

“I hate this earmuff defense. It’s definitely going to catch up with him, and if he fights Tszyu, it won’t be nice, man. I think he’s done so much for boxing as an Olympian and as a champion, he’s had so many great fights against huge names.”

“You know, it will be tragic for him to face Tim Tszyu and be beaten like that on foreign soil. I don’t want to see that. But I wish him all the best.”

The fight will take place at the 158-pound catchweight and will be a earnest test for both fighters. Tszyu, 31, is trying to rebuild his position near the top of the junior middleweight division after losses to Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, while Spence is trying to prove he can still compete at an elite level after one of the longest layoffs of his career.

A victory over Tszyu would immediately put Spence back in the conversation for a junior middleweight main event, but Mora believes the former unified welterweight champion is taking a significant risk by returning to a younger opponent known for his strength and aggressive style.

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Categories Errol Spence Jr, Tim Tszyu

Last updated: 19/06/2026 at 17:33

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