Usyk Verhoeven was a sparring session.

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by MismatchHypejob, May 25, 2026.


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  1. MismatchHypejob

    MismatchHypejob Active Member Full Member

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    I’m seriously worried for so called boxing fans around the world. That was a straight up sparring session and it’s worrying there’s not many who have mentioned this.

    I watched the replay of this fight . Usyk showed zero urgency through rounds 1 to 10, was pulling his punches all night, where was the increase in tempo and volume of punches? He looked like he didn’t even care and nor did his corner. Usyk landed practically nothing up until round 10-11. Literally I could count 1 or 2 notable punches. You’re not telling me a veteran of the sport, both elite offensively and defensively could not land punches on this guy who wasn’t doing anything particular skillful defensively (which is actually clearly demonstrated in round 11 where Usyk knocks him down the first time he actually puts proper pressure on and steam on his punches)

    Don’t get me started on Verhoeven what kind of boxing technique was that? Me myself and Irene? I’m not in the slightest exaggerating when I’m say Daniel Dubois would have knocked this guy flat out in brutal fashion. There was nothing Verhoeven was doing that was special

    I’m not shocked they rigged the fight, but I am shocked so many people are “debating” this .
     
    MismatchHypejob, May 25, 2026
    MismatchHypejob, May 25, 2026
    #1
  2. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    So, your argument is that he struggled on purpose? Ain't no way. If it were a simple sparring session Usyk would be dancing rings around the guy, but he couldn't do it.
     
    Kiwi Casual, May 25, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, May 25, 2026
    #2
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  3. Redbeard7

    Redbeard7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ok tinfoil.
     
    Redbeard7, May 25, 2026
    Redbeard7, May 25, 2026
    #3
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  4. vargasfan1985

    vargasfan1985 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lol
     
    vargasfan1985, May 25, 2026
    vargasfan1985, May 25, 2026
    #4
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  5. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    I mean...no. Usyk definitely lacked urgency, but I don't buy that he could have knocked Rico out at will, either. Let's give Rico some credit, here. He came to fight, and for whatever reason, Usyk fought like Michael Moorer.
     
    catchwtboxing, May 25, 2026
    catchwtboxing, May 25, 2026
    #5
    heerko koois, slash and OldSchoolBoxing like this.
  6. TowelThrower

    TowelThrower Y'all must've forgot Full Member

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    I wouldn’t want to have seen a fight break out if that was how challenging a sparring session the guy was for an all time great. Seems very disrespectful to them both.
     
    TowelThrower, May 25, 2026
    TowelThrower, May 25, 2026
    #6
  7. ellerbe

    ellerbe Loyal Member Full Member

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    You’re still mad Usyk didn’t fight Parker mate?
     
    ellerbe, May 25, 2026
    ellerbe, May 25, 2026
    #7
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  8. Kiwi Casual

    Kiwi Casual Boxing Addict Full Member

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    That has nothing to do with this thread, and if you think Usyk was in a sparring session you need your head checked lol.
     
    Kiwi Casual, May 25, 2026
    Kiwi Casual, May 25, 2026
    #8
  9. vargasfan1985

    vargasfan1985 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ban this clown
     
    vargasfan1985, May 25, 2026
    vargasfan1985, May 25, 2026
    #9
  10. Sailor Joe

    Sailor Joe Member Full Member

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    May 1, 2022
    This.

    It's Usyk after all. He's great, but he's not some early round monster like Dempsey or M. Tyson. Knocking out a kickboxing veteran at will, when that's not how he operates anyways? No, don't see it.
     
    Sailor Joe, May 25, 2026
    Sailor Joe, May 25, 2026
    #10
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  11. Veerbone

    Veerbone Active Member Full Member

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    1) Usyk had no real film on Rico, so he was having to figure him out as he went. Peter Fury made sure Rico fought with a style that wasn't easy to figure out so it took Usyk much longer to get a bead on him.
    2) Rico charged straight ahead throwing a lot of punches. Of course he was going to land some and he hit Usyk cleaner than just about any heavyweight. Despite being 30 points heavier, he never had Usyk in trouble. Usyk looked more frustrated than worried.
    3) Usyk's daughter was in a bomb shelter due to imminent or incipient Russian attacks. You can't blame the guy for being a little distracted.
    4) Once Usyk made up his mind to let his hands go, the fight didn't last long.

    Rico did a phenomenal job and all credit to Peter Fury for training him to compete at the highest level. He maximized his opportunity and it's going to pay off for him soon, but I don't think a rematch would last long. Usyk with a full training camp and film to study gets him out of there much sooner.
     
    Veerbone, May 26, 2026
    Veerbone, May 26, 2026
    #11
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  12. OldSchoolBoxing

    OldSchoolBoxing Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I think Rico's huge arms, huge torso, power and constantly coming forward gave Usyk problems, he had to stay in defense most of the fight.
     
    OldSchoolBoxing, May 26, 2026
    OldSchoolBoxing, May 26, 2026
    #12
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  13. miniq

    miniq FURY COMETH 2026 Full Member

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    Usyk was pulling a Loma throw expecting the mid fight fade from Rico
     
    miniq, May 26, 2026
    miniq, May 26, 2026
    #13
  14. MismatchHypejob

    MismatchHypejob Active Member Full Member

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    He didn't struggle though. There was literally no urgency from Usyk at all for all 10 rounds. I've never seen Usyk go from 0-100 after 10 rounds of pitty pattying, putting no steam on his punches.

    I've also never seen Usyk struggle to land punches on someone. Verhoeven is not even a fraction as elusive as Fury, and Usyk was landing regularly on him with heavy punches. Usyk must have landed about 2 or 3 max punches with a slight bit of steam on Verhoeven up until the 10th round. I would really like to see people recognise and be able to answer that.

    Usyk is a guy who usually starts slow then ups the pace constantly. Usyk started slow and continued that same inactive pace for 10 rounds.

    Clear as day fixed fight
     
    MismatchHypejob, May 27, 2026
    MismatchHypejob, May 27, 2026
    #14
  15. Walcott

    Walcott Well-Known Member Full Member

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    How can anyone claim with a straight face that he did not struggle, he was minutes away from losing his title and tarnishing his legacy to a novice kickboxer, just terrible.
     
    Walcott, May 27, 2026
    Walcott, May 27, 2026
    #15
    CrossT likes this.
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