A historic night of boxing at the foot of the pyramids
The Giza Pyramids witnessed an exceptional event last night, marking a new chapter in the history of world sports. One of the most unique boxing nights, dubbed "Glory in Giza," was held. This global event, sponsored by Riyadh Season, combined the allure of Pharaonic history with the thrill of modern sports. Its significance lies in reflecting the growing regional sports cooperation, as events supported by the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, are reshaping the global boxing landscape and drawing the attention of millions to the Middle East, thus solidifying the region's position as a premier destination for major historical fights.
Details of the epic fight: Usyk asserts his dominance
In a breathtaking main event, veteran Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk secured a resounding victory over Dutch champion Rico Verhoeven, claiming the WBC heavyweight title. The fight began with a spectacular entrance featuring the boxers in costumes inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization, accompanied by the playing of the Egyptian, Dutch, and Ukrainian national anthems, creating a majestic atmosphere in the ring.
The fight began with great intensity, with Verhoeven applying pressure in the first round, relying on his quick movements. However, Usyk, with his characteristic experience, absorbed this initial onslaught and began to read his opponent's game. By the second round, Usyk had settled into the match, landing straight and upward punches that restored parity. The back-and-forth continued; in the third round, the Dutchman regained his advantage, but the Ukrainian responded strongly in the fourth and fifth, capitalizing on his opponent's declining accuracy.
Rounds six through eight saw a surprising performance from Verhoeven, who unsettled Usyk's defense. However, Usyk regained control in rounds nine and ten as the Dutchman showed signs of fatigue. In round eleven, Usyk decisively increased the intensity of his attack, landing a powerful upward punch that knocked Verhoeven down. Despite Verhoeven's attempts to get up, Usyk continued his relentless pressure until the referee intervened, ending the fight with a technical knockout, allowing the Ukrainian to retain his three titles. In a noble display of sportsmanship, Usyk went to console his opponent and kissed his head in appreciation of his courage.
Remarkable Arab performance: Egyptian and Saudi victories
The excitement wasn't limited to the main event; it also included a remarkable Arab performance. Egyptian boxer Omar Heikal opened the evening with a stunning victory over Tanzanian Michael Kalila, stopping him in the third round. Egyptian Mohamed Mabrouk Yahya continued his winning streak in domestic competitions, defeating Ugandan Ali Serunkuma by unanimous decision, capitalizing on his superior technique and a point penalty imposed on his opponent.
On the regional level, the young Saudi boxer Sultan Al-Mohammed stole the show in the preliminary card, achieving a stunning knockout victory over Indonesian Dedi Embraks in just 72 seconds, raising his tally to four consecutive wins, confirming his strong arrival in the world of professional boxing.
Surprises in different weight categories and world titles
The evening was full of surprises, most notably in the cruiserweight division, where American Jamar Talley halted Egyptian Bassem Mamdouh's momentum with a knockout in the second round. In the light heavyweight division, Frenchman Benjamin Mendez handed Ukrainian Daniel Laban his first loss of the season with a technical knockout in the fourth round.
In the women's superfly division, Japan's Mizuki Hirota retained both her WBO and The Ring titles with a unanimous decision victory over Egypt's Mai Suleiman after a dominant performance. In the heavyweight division, Cuba's Frank Sanchez ended American Richard Torres Jr.'s undefeated record with a swift second-round knockout.
The night also saw England's Jack Catterall crowned WBA welterweight champion after a unanimous decision victory over Uzbekistan's Shakhram Giyasov. Britain's Hamza Shiraz capped off the series of triumphs by claiming the WBO super-middleweight title with a knockout victory over Germany's Alem Begić, cementing his status as one of the most promising rising stars in the weight class. This night marked a turning point in the history of hosting major sporting events and will remain etched in the memories of boxing fans.
