Although Usyk rallied to stop the former kickboxing star in the 11th round, it was the most difficult performance of his heavyweight career. He struggled for long stretches, absorbed more punishment than fans had become accustomed to seeing, and needed a late surge to avoid what would have been one of the biggest upsets in modern boxing.

Within weeks, Usyk vacated the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, bringing an end to his reign as the division’s unified champion. The timing immediately has created talk about whether the Verhoeven fight had convinced him it was time to move on from championship obligations.

No fighter stays at the top forever, and at 39 years old with an extensive amateur career, countless championship fights, and victories over every major heavyweight of his era, Usyk has little left to prove. Instead of spending the remainder of his career navigating mandatory title defenses, he now has the freedom to choose his final fights on his own terms.

The Verhoeven performance also changed how the rest of the heavyweight division is likely to view him.

Before that fight, most contenders probably entered any discussion about facing Usyk hoping to survive against one of boxing’s most technically gifted champions. After watching him struggle before producing the late stoppage, several rivals may now believe they have a genuine chance of beating him.

Agit Kabayel remains one of the division’s leading contenders after capturing the WBC interim title, while Daniel Dubois has regained championship status and continues rebuilding momentum following his victory over Fabio Wardley. Highly regarded prospect Moses Itauma is widely viewed as the sport’s next heavyweight star, and even former champion Deontay Wilder remains a dangerous opponent because of his one-punch power.

None of those contenders has proven they can beat Usyk, but the aura of invincibility that surrounded him for years took a significant hit against Verhoeven.

Vacating his titles also prevents the heavyweight division from stalling while he decides whether retirement is imminent or one final payday remains. New champions can now emerge, mandatory challengers can move forward, and the next generation has a clearer path toward the top of boxing’s glamour division.

Great champions rarely get to decide when perceptions begin to shift. Usyk preserved his unbeaten record with a courageous late finish against Verhoeven, but that fight may ultimately be remembered as the night the heavyweight division stopped viewing him as unbeatable and started believing his remarkable reign was finally approaching its conclusion.