What happened: Usyk badly faded or Rico much better than expected?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, May 23, 2026.

  1. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    I mean, before two hours ago, people wouldn’t have thought Rico could potentially beat Usyk in two million years.

    I’d give Semmy the edge in a fight, sure, but Rico has proven you just cannot ever count this guy fully out.
     
  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Can we now PLEASE finally give Floyd Patterson the credit he deserves for the KO of Rademacher?!!!!
     
  3. Skins

    Skins Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Can't believe there isn't a Rico vs Ali thread yet
     
  4. bandeedo

    bandeedo Loyal Member Full Member

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    i really think it was ricos fast hands and awkward timing that usyk couldnt deal with. there were shots that caught usyk as if his eyes were closed. rico has a lightning jab for such a big fella, and thats a big problem when hes so long. that lead right is also very fast and you dont see him set for it, it just shoots out suddenly. also, usyk didnt fight him very intelligently, there were things he should have been doing given what rico was showing him.
     
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  5. PopPellegrino

    PopPellegrino Active Member Full Member

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    Rico was fighting like Jim Carrey made me roll on the ground. 1000% stealing that line. Rico will get pummeled in his next fight against decent competition.
     
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  6. PthePuncher

    PthePuncher New Member Full Member

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    Verhoeven looked great and fought the perfect fight to trouble a fighter like Usyk. He was in constant motion so Usyk’s feints and setups weren’t working and he knew how to work at the right range and impose his size. Usyk didn’t look good but you have to give most of the credit to Verhoeven.
     
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  7. PthePuncher

    PthePuncher New Member Full Member

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    You guys are a bunch of noobs and casuals posing as intellectual hardcore boxing fans. Verhoeven looked great with no asterisk. He fought a technically brilliant fight. He wasn’t just ‘awkwardly effective’ , he put on a world class performance. He still got ktfo but all props and respect too him.
     
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  8. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

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    Both.

    I mean I think everyone but the most extreme boxing hater would have to admit that by Usyks standards he looked objectively poor.

    And his weight is an objective metric that proves he also wasn't in his usual condition.

    Not making excuses for his performance Im just saying that I think it was a combination of both. Rico was obviously a quality fighter, which I expected him to be.

    This isnt some untested contender. The guy was a world champion striker. I knew people were underating him and his chances, like they do with these non boxers every single time.
     
  9. BustedSaint

    BustedSaint Country Member Full Member

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    Father time is a body puncher.
     
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  10. G Man

    G Man Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Rico was a big buy and fighting kinda bent forwards, I think this threw Usyk as all the big guys he fought previously were stood upright and punching down. This surprised me and must've thrown Usyk somewhat.
     
  11. premiumtap

    premiumtap New Member Full Member

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    Rico would have been absolutely the KING OF BOXING had he chosen that path. A lot of Dutch kickboxers would have been great boxers. Nieky Holzken gave Callum Smith a run for his money too. Kickboxers are underrated.

    You want to hear a funny joke? Elite boxers.
     
  12. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    Maybe more of those Dutch kickboxers should look to transition to boxing. I feel like the HW division is wide open now and could use some contenders from outside the British Isles.
     
  13. MixedMartialLaw

    MixedMartialLaw Combat sports enthusiast Full Member

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    And Ngannou kept switching stances and wrestled in the clinch. Both Usyk and Fury had no tape on Rico or Francis and were underprepared, trying to fight them as traditional boxers.
     
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  14. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Por que no los dos?

    both are true. Usyk did get old overnight. And Rico was far better than anybody expected.
     
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  15. CooperKupp

    CooperKupp “B.. but they all playin NBA basketball again!” Full Member

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    This! A bit of both AND Peter Fury did an excellent job!