
May is into the endgame now, with just under a week left before the summer season - but there's already fire brewing in the boxing world.
Oleksandr Usyk's presumed walkover against Rico Verhoeven proved to be anything but at a star-studded evening at the Giza necropolis.
The Ukrainian retained his titles and record against the crossover star - but now faces further headaches amid a contentious close call.
Here, DAZN News looks back at the week in boxing - and picks out five key stories worth revisiting as we head for the next seven days.
Having arrived in Egypt as the overwhelming favourite, the general consensus was that Usyk would secure victory inside six rounds.
Instead, he nearly went the full dozen before referee Mark Lyson appeared to wave the fight off following the bell in the eleventh.
Having dropped Verhoeven earlier in the round, Usyk appeared back in front - but it has nevertheless cast a shadow on his performance.
Whether it was an off-night or not for his opponent, Verhoeven showcased that his unorthodox style may have a place in boxing.
A champion kickboxer contesting just his second pro bout - and first in over a decade - he used his size to threaten Usyk repeatedly.
Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
Whether the same tricks would work against a Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua is another matter. But his stock took a handy boost here.
Jumping into the ring to face off with Usyk ahead of a likely long-awaited bout, it seems the WBC interim champion is tired of waiting.
Plenty of pundits believe the German is the best heavyweight in the world right now, who the Ukrainian is yet to meet in the ring.
Powerbrokers certainly want it - and with rumours of a central European stadium fight swirling, there's plenty in play for this one.
It was a strong night for British interests in Egypt, as both Hamzah Sheeraz and Jack Catterall delivered the goods in contrasting styles.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
The former secured the WBO super-middleweight crown by turning over Alem Begic in just two rounds, earning a maiden world title.
The latter, meanwhile, seized the WBA (Regular) welterweight crown to tee up a shot at Rolando Romero inside the next six months.
The same enjoyment could not be taken by Richard Torrez Jr., however, as the American suffered a first pro loss against Frank Sanchez.
There were many who had hoped the star could succeed Deontay Wilder and become a breakout glamour-division name at world level.
But in arguably his first major test against a top-class operator, he was felled in brutal style, as Sanchez won their IBF title eliminator.
'The Beauty' Tommy Fury fights the 'The Beast' Eddie Hall on a great Misfits fight night on Saturday, June 23, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Zayas vs. Ennis (June 27), Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.


