Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven punch stats show how razor-close fight was

Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven were separated by just one punch before the Ukrainian was awarded a contentious stoppage victory.

The heavyweight titans locked horns in the shadows of the Pyramids of Giza on Saturday night in a WBC title fight that had already been written off as a walkover before the opening bell.

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Few gave Verhoeven even the slimmest chance of victory.

After all, he was a kickboxer, competing in boxing for only the second time, against the lineal heavyweight champion of the world.

To the surprise of everyone, the ‘King of Kickboxing’ was able to ask serious questions of Usyk until he was stopped against the ropes in the 11th round in a contentious finish that many felt was premature.

Through 10 rounds, Verhoeven and Usyk could barely be separated on the scorecards.

Two judges had it 95-95 even, while the third had it 96-94 in Verhoeven’s favour.

The punch stats equally painted a picture of a razor-close fight.

Usyk vs Verhoeven punch stats

In total, Verhoeven landed 113 punches to Usyk’s 112.

The Dutchman held a 93-89 connect advantage in power
punches, while Usyk edged Verhoeven 23-20 on jabs landed.

In rounds 1 and 2, Usyk and Verhoeven landed the same number of punches, 2 and 10, respectively.

From rounds 3 to 10, Usyk connected with more punches than Verhoeven in 5 of the remaining 9 rounds.

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However, Verhoeven found a home for more power shots in 7 of the 10 completed rounds.

Will Usyk and Verhoeven rematch?

Considering the controversy surrounding the stoppage and nip and tuck nature of the bout, it now seems that Verhoeven and Usyk will be running back their bout in the not-too-distant future.

The immediate plan is for Usyk to face his WBC mandatory, Agit Kabayel, before rematching Verhoeven next year.

Speaking post-fight, Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh said: “It is the choice of Usyk, now is not the right time.

“He is in the line, but also he [Rico] deserves a rematch after Kabayel.

“They are in the line, both of them. We want to see Kabayel, and we want to see the rematch with Rico in Holland.”

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