Controversy surrounds Usyk’s victory over Verhoeven
Anthony Joshua has admitted he believes Rico Verhoeven should have been allowed to continue against Oleksandr Usyk after the controversial stoppage that has divided the boxing world, reports BritPanorama.
Usyk defended his heavyweight titles in a dramatic showdown near the Pyramids in Egypt on Saturday night, while Joshua attended the bout ringside. Despite expectations that Usyk would dominate the fight, Verhoeven pushed the champion to his limits, and the outcome left many questioning the validity of the referee’s decision.
Heading into the final round, Verhoeven had a surprising edge on one judge’s scorecard and was level on the other two, raising the stakes for the concluding moments of the bout. The controversy peaked late in the 11th round when Usyk knocked Verhoeven down with a powerful left hand. Although Verhoeven managed to get back on his feet and appeared stable, referee Mark Lycett halted the contest, a decision that was met with immediate backlash.
The situation escalated as social media erupted. Prominent figures in combat sports, including Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou, joined the chorus of disapproval over the stoppage, and Verhoeven himself claimed he had been capable of continuing the fight. Now Joshua has added his voice to the dissent, indicating dissatisfaction with the referee’s intervention.
After leaving the arena, Joshua was questioned on whether Verhoeven should have been allowed to proceed. “Yeah definitely,” he replied, noting that he had been impressed by Verhoeven’s performance throughout the match. Joshua refrained from stating who he believed was ahead on the scorecards but acknowledged that it was a “good fight.”
Verhoeven’s remarkable showing during the match caught the attention of many, with his awkward movements and clean punches troubling Usyk at times. He even managed to visibly rock the champion, a feat that neither Joshua nor Tyson Fury accomplished in their previous encounters with Usyk.
Despite Verhoeven’s strong performance, Usyk’s experience ultimately played a key role, allowing him to mount a comeback that culminated in the contentious stoppage. Following the fight, Verhoeven’s team filed an official protest against the referee’s decision, arguing that they had been denied the opportunity to allow the bout to reach its conclusion.
As the debate over the stoppage continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the fine line in boxing between safety and allowing fighters the chance to compete until the end. In combat sports, such moments can be both defining and divisive, echoing the age-old tension between spectacle and integrity in the ring.
