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Rico Verhoeven nearly pulled off a monumental upset against Oleksandr Usyk, but the fight ended controversially with a stoppage in Round 11. The judges had it tight, with two cards at 95-95 and one favoring Verhoeven 96-94 when Usyk rallied, knocking Verhoeven down and finishing him just before the round ended. Referee Mark Lyson's decision to stop the fight after the bell has sparked outrage, with many believing Verhoeven deserved a chance to fight on.
This stoppage has ignited intense reactions across the boxing community. Usyk admitted he faced a tough challenge, noting, "It was hard, but I just boxed." Verhoeven expressed frustration, stating, "I thought it was an early stoppage," while his coach, Peter Fury, echoed that sentiment, calling for a rematch. Prominent figures like Eddie Hearn and Ryan Garcia criticized the referee's timing, with Hearn claiming Verhoeven was ahead in the fight, and Garcia noting, "Rico fought his a-- off."
Shakur Stevenson and Tony Bellew also weighed in, suggesting that Verhoeven should have been allowed to continue. The fallout from this dramatic bout raises questions about Usyk's future and Verhoeven's next steps following a fight that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
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