Outcome of Rico Verhoeven appeal delivered on controversial Oleksandr Usyk stoppage

Rico Verhoeven has lost an appeal to overturn his contentious stoppage loss to Oleksandr Usyk.

The kickboxing legend defied the odds to give lineal heavyweight champion Usyk one of the toughest fights of his career in May at the foot of Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza.

Matchroom Boxing

Heading into the eleventh and penultimate stanza, two judges had it 95-95 even, while the third had it 96-94 in Verhoeven’s favour.

With 20 seconds remaining in the round, Verhoeven was dropped by a well-timed lead uppercut.

The groggy Dutchman beat the count and was afforded precious seconds to have his gumshield placed back into his mouth.

When the action restarted, Usyk landed a flurry of shots as referee Mark Lyson waved off the bout.

While the intervention was officially recorded as being one second before the bell, Lyson did appear to step in after it had sounded.

Verhoeven and his handlers subsequently lodged an appeal with the Egyptian Professional Boxing Association, which oversaw the event.

And on Tuesday, he received the official verdict.

Rico Verhoeven’s statement

“On 24 May, we filed a formal protest because we genuinely believed there was a serious question around the way the fight was stopped,” wrote Verhoeven on social media.

“On 16 June, we received the Commission’s decision.

“The ruling confirmed that the bell ending Round 11 had already sounded before the referee physically waved off the fight.

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“The official timekeeper said exactly that. The ringside doctor also confirmed that I showed no signs of confusion or disorientation after the bout.

“The Commission’s view was that none of those findings changed the outcome.

“Look, this has never been about taking anything away from Oleksandr. He’s one of the greatest fighters of this generation, and I have nothing but respect for what he’s achieved.

“What stays with me is the feeling that, after eleven unforgettable rounds on one of the biggest and most epic stages in the world, the story simply stopped before it reached its ending.

“Oleksandr had a strong moment. He caught me well, and you could feel the tension in the fight shift.

“That’s what happens at this level. Momentum can change in an instant.

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“Throughout my career, there have been moments where people thought it was over.

“In multiple world title fights, I’ve found ways to turn things around and leave with my hand raised. That’s just how I’m built.

“Never give up and always believe that it ain’t over until the bell rings. No pun intended! (Maybe a little bit)

“I truly believe everyone deserved the chance to see how this fight was meant to end.

“The fans were denied a 12th round. After everything we’d both put into that fight, they deserved to see how it ended.

“I never got the chance to find out if this would have been one of those nights I had before.

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“And Oleksandr was denied the opportunity to finish it in a way that nobody could question.

“So for me, the conclusion is actually very simple. Let’s finish the story and give the fans that immediate rematch!

“The ruling answered the legal questions, but it left another question hanging in the air, one that has stayed with so many people since that night: how was this story supposed to end?”

Usyk-Verhoeven rematch?

Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has expressed interest in a sequel after Usyk fulfils his WBC mandatory obligation with interim champion Agit Kabayel.

Usyk-Kabayel is being targeted for January, with the Turkish capital of Istanbul considered as a potential location.

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