Verhoeven argues the referee stopped the heavyweight title fight after the bell despite close scorecards in Egypt
Rico Verhoeven says he may appeal his eleventh-round stoppage loss to Oleksandr Usyk after arguing the heavyweight title fight was halted after the bell Saturday night in Egypt. The controversial ending immediately sparked debate online because the fight remained competitive on the scorecards before the stoppage.
“I just saw the end because of all the comments I was reading, and they stopped the fight after the bell,” said Verhoeven to Boxing News.
“So the bell went, and then they stopped the fight. So yeah, I think we might just go and appeal it because this doesn’t make any sense, right? Like if the bell goes and then stop the fight then why, you know, it’s like then it’s my time to rest.”
Verhoeven later expanded on why he felt the fight should have continued, saying he was aware of what was happening after the knockdown and believed he was defending himself properly.
“I got the count out. It was a good count. Yeah, it was needed. But I felt like because I heard the click. So I’m like, ‘Okay, let’s go. We got like 10 seconds,'” said Verhoeven.
“So let’s just keep on the move. Hands up and catch the shots. I feel like that was what I was doing. That’s why right away when the referee came in, I wasn’t dazzled or whatever. I was looking at the referee like, why are you stopping? We’re almost there.”
Verhoeven also floated the possibility of the bout being ruled a no-contest or sent to the scorecards instead of ending in a stoppage defeat.
“Looking back at it, even the bell went. That’s something he should be aware of. Of course, mistakes can be made, but then looking back at it, the referee should admit his mistake and say, ” Hey, so it’s either a no contest or we go to the scorecards,” said Rico.
“And I think if we go to the scorecards, I was ahead.”
Despite the controversial finish, Verhoeven said the performance convinced him to continue pursuing boxing after pushing Usyk harder than many expected.
“He had both hands full. He’s been the undisputed champion, and I didn’t see any boxer do that to him till tonight,” said Verhoeven.
“I found my new passion within combat sports. I hope I surprised and shocked the boxing world because I’m here to stay.”
A successful appeal could create an unwanted delay for Usyk, who has already been linked to several major heavyweight fights. Verhoeven’s performance and the backlash to the stoppage may also give a rematch more commercial value than many expected heading into Saturday night.
