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Usyk’s victory may cost him more than the P4P ranking

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Usyk vs Verhoeven decision

Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight title in Egypt, but his place at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings did not survive his fight with Rico Verhoeven intact.

Usyk was already on his way down most pound-for-pound charts due to his decision to face a kickboxer rather than a top heavyweight.

Despite DAZN’s insistence during the broadcast that Usyk remained number one, even in their own rankings Naoya Inoue was sitting above the Ukrainian before the blow was dealt at the Pyramids.

This alone suggested that Usyk was never going to retain his long-held number two position, regardless of the result.

The only real question was how far it would fall.

Usyk vs. Verhoeven fight

As detailed in WBN’s round-by-round live coverage, the performance itself only accelerated the slide.

Usyk fought for long stretches with Rico Verhoeven, a GLORY kickboxing legend taking part in only his second professional boxing competition.

Instead of controlling the fight with the dominance you’d expect from one of boxing’s elite pound-for-pound stars, Usyk looked uncomfortable, frustrated and at times truly defenseless against Verhoeven’s awkward movements and odd timing.

Even when the champion finally succeeded delayed and forced a dramatic stoppage, more damage had already been done to his aura.

Usyk’s pound-for-pound decline

After ten rounds of the fight with Verhoeven, WBN decided on number six for Usyk, just above Devin Haney.

Naoya Inoue currently remains number one, with Shakur Stevenson, Jesse Rodriguez, Dmitry Bivol and David Benavidez overtaking the heavyweight champion after the worst performance of Usyk’s career.

This leaves Usyk outside the sport’s true elite class for now, even as he insists on his top-flight status.

However, this is not about depriving Usyk of his achievements. It’s about recognizing the decisions made and the results achieved.

The Ukrainian remains undefeated, still holds the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, and has won victories, among others. over Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

However, the pound-for-pound rankings are intended to reflect current form and dominance relative to expectations.

The heavyweight champion, widely considered one of the best fighters in the world, should not lose heavily in rounds to an opponent who is just emerging in professional boxing.

There is no escape from this reality, no matter how extraordinary Verhoeven’s boxing style and pedigree.

Rico Verhoeven puts pressure on Oleksandr Usyk ahead of controversial stoppage in Egypt
Mark Robinson

Usyk is no longer untouchable

The irony is that Usyk will likely win the rematch much easier if the two meet again.

The intrigue around the second fight had largely disappeared, as Usyk was now expected to prepare specifically for the unconventional attacks that had surprised him in Egypt.

However, the first impression cannot be erased, because for one night at the Pyramids, Oleksandr Usyk no longer looked untouchable.

And for a fighter at the very top of pound-for-pound boxing, that image will be challenging to erase from his legacy.


About the Author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Roy Jones Jr admits there is one fighter he wouldn’t want to face: ‘He’s explosive and mean’

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Roy Jones Jr admits there is one fighter he wouldn’t have wanted to face: “He’s explosive and mean”

Roy Jones Jr named another Hall of Famer whose speed would pose major problems if they ever collided in the ring.

The American had remarkable speed himself, particularly during his dominant run between middleweight and airy heavyweight, with his only defeat coming against Montell Griffin in 1997.

Even then, Jones was only disqualified for punching Griffin while he was on one knee, and eventually won the rematch via first-round stoppage later that year.

Regardless of this flaw, the pound-for-pound legend was almost untouchable throughout his prime, yet he admits that fellow icon Sugar Ray Leonard would have been a tough matchup.

While Jones was arguably most effective at 168 to 175 pounds, Leonard scored two of his most crucial victories – against Tommy Hearns and Roberto Duran – at 147 pounds.

He then moved up to middleweight and, most importantly, he won a razor-thin split decision against Marvin Haglerbefore a rematch with Hearns at the 164-pound catchweight in 1989.

At this point, Leonard had everything behind him, and yet even at middleweight, “Sugar Ray” would be considered a fierce opponent for Jones.

In a social media clip reposted by BeeBoxJones explains that Leonard’s speed and malice would cause him problems.

“I never really wanted to fight [Leonard]. I knew that [against] a swift fighter like him, the jab is your problem – you can’t [keep] punch in the face.

“If you let him move around and do what he wants [wants to] do this, he will beat you because he is very compact tempered and very mean.

Ultimately, Leonard ultimately retired following a loss to Hector Camacho in 1997, though admittedly both he and Jones were shadows of their former selves before they hung up the gloves.

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Boxing

Bam Rodriguez wins the bantamweight crown with a sixth-round TKO of Antonio Vargas

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Image: Bam Rodriguez Scores Sixth-Round TKO of Antonio Vargas for Bantamweight Crown

In the main event, Rodriguez improved to 24-0 (17 KO) after a sixth-round stoppage of Vargas, who dropped to 19-2-1 (11 KO). Rodriguez secured the victory at 1:15 of the sixth round of the scheduled 12-round fight.

Vargas had the advantage in the first round, ahead of Rodriguez. Rodriguez responded well in the second round, using the move effectively before Vargas closed the scoring strongly with a quick strike slow on. Vargas continued to find success in the third and fourth rounds, often overpowering Rodriguez.

The fight took a dramatic turn in the fifth round when Rodriguez delivered an overhand left hand that knocked Vargas down early in the round. Referee Chris Flores counted and Vargas got up and continued.

In the sixth round, Rodriguez closed the show. A fierce three-punch combination sent Vargas to the canvas again, and Flores counted out Vargas, giving Rodriguez another world title to add to his growing resume.

In the co-main event, Arturo Cardenas improved his record to 18-0-2 (9 KO), defeating Jordan Martinez, who dropped to 16-1-1 (15 KO) over 10 rounds.

The first two rounds were close, with Cardenas pressing and having a slight advantage. Martinez found success in the third and fourth rounds with his counter punches and movements, rocking Cardenas with a left hand slow in the fourth round.

Cardenas responded in the fifth round, landing a right hand that caught Martinez’s attention in another close stanza. From the sixth to ninth rounds, the action remained fierce, although Cardenas seemed to gain the advantage with body attacks. In the 10th and final round, Cardenas seemed to outsmart Martinez enough to secure the decision.

The judges scored the fight 100-90, 98-92 and 97-93. Raul Caiz Jr. he was a judge.

In the lightweight division, Elias Terraza remained undefeated, improving to 14-0 (9 KO), following a second-round stoppage of Adrian Rodriguez, who dropped to 10-1 (6 KO).

Terraza effectively took advantage of his height advantage in the first round, landing a jab and landing a right hand to Rodriguez’s temple in the final minute. Early in the second round, Terraza dropped a right cross to Rodriguez. After Rodriguez took down the count, Terraza pounced on him with a sustained attack, forcing referee Chris Flores to stop the fight at the 2:30 mark.

IBF women’s lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan defended her title with a narrow unanimous decision over Gabriela “Sosa” Tellez.

Turhan improved to 14-0 (8 KO), while Tellez dropped to 7-1 (3 KO). Despite the official verdict, the fight was fierce throughout.

Turhan boxed effectively in the early rounds, while Tellez managed to land right hands, especially slow in the opening phase. Turhan seemed to have the advantage in the middle rounds before Tellez rallied in the fifth round.

Turhan landed a solid right hand in the final seconds of the sixth round that briefly rattled Tellez. In the seventh round, Tellez responded with a left hook that drew blood from Turhan’s mouth before the champion finished the round strongly.

The ninth round was close and Turhan seemed to have beaten Tellez. During the final round, referee Richard Hoyle warned Turhan twice for pushing Tellez to the canvas. Turhan pushed tough to stop in the closing moments, landing a wild right hand as the fight came to an end.

All three judges scored the fight 96-94 in favor of Turhan.

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Boxing

Trainer Robert Garcia Predicts Devin Haney vs. Shakur Stevenson Fight: ‘With a Very Slim Edge’

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Regis Prograis predicts Devin Haney vs Shakur Stevenson after facing Haney: “He’s more skilled”

Esteemed coach Robert Garcia provided his expert opinion on a potential clash between Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney, who have verbally agreed to meet at the 144-pound catchweight division.

There are rumors that both American stars will be joining Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, apparently with the intention of clashing under the promotional banner.

While nothing has been confirmed, the pair regularly exchange information on social media, and Haney has verbally agreed to drop 3 pounds below his preferred fighting weight.

“The Dream” won the WBO welterweight title in November, becoming a three-division world champion dethroning and unanimously overtaking Brian Norman Jr.

Earlier this week, however, the WBO confirmed that Haney would be stripped of his belt if he fought Stevenson at the 144-pound catchweight division, as the 27-year-old had been ordered to face mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis.

However, if they do end up facing off at 144 pounds, top trainer Garcia said Fighting Hub TV that he will favor the WBO super-lightweight champion the least.

“Honestly, I think it’s a great fight for both of them. They both fight very astute – they don’t handle each other [many] mistakes.

“The first one to make a mistake, the second one will take advantage of it. It’s a tough fight. With a very miniature difference, I probably think Shakur [would win]. He’s too astute.

“What I like about Haney is that he’s willing to take a risk. He’d be willing to take that risk and I think Shakur benefits from that [of his mistake]”

Stevenson became a four-division world champion when he dethroned Teofimo Lopez in January with a unanimous majority victory in his first appearance at 140 pounds.

That’s why the 28-year-old is reluctant to face Haney at 147 pounds, where his opponent would have a significant size advantage.

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