Rico Verhoeven filed an appeal in hopes of overturning his controversial loss to Oleksandr Usyk
last month in Egypt.Denied.
Usyk’s victory will stand, prompting Verhoeven to call for an immediate rematch. The former kickboxing champion appeared to be in control of the Usyk fight (despite these wonky scorecards) until a questionable referee’s decision halted the action in the eleventh round.
“On May 24, we filed a formal protest because we genuinely believed there was a serious question around the way
the fight was stopped,” Verhoeven wrote 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. 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.”
The Usyk fight was just the second pro bout of Verhoeven’s boxing career.
“Look, this has never been about taking anything away from Oleksandr,” Verhoeven added. “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. 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.”
Even Usyk was questioning the outcome.
“The fans were denied a 12th round,” Verhoeven said. “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. 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? I’ll be ready, Oleksandr.”
Usyk is expected to face mandatory title challenger Agit Kabayel later this year.
