World boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has offered a unique explanation for his relatively cautious and sluggish performance in the fight against Dutchman Rico Verhoeven. The Ukrainian boxer responded to fan comments on social media, diffusing the situation with humor.
Usyk noted that many found the fight against Rico more exciting than expected. The boxer reacted to this with a touch of light irony.
"They say watching my fight with Rico was quite exciting. Guys, I just wanted to make sure you weren't bored, that's all," Usyk wrote.
With these words, the Ukrainian champion addressed the criticism and discussions surrounding the fight with humor rather than a serious debate. By reacting this way, Usyk showed he is calm and satisfied with the result.
The bout between Verhoeven and Usyk ended in the 11th round. The reigning champion won by technical knockout. However, the end of the fight sparked significant controversy, as it is claimed the referee stopped the clash after the gong signaling the end of the round.
This specific episode caused mixed opinions among fans, experts, and journalists. Some consider the referee's decision premature, while others emphasize Usyk's dominance and control of the fight.
Rico Verhoeven expressed his disagreement with the result and spoke about a rematch. The Dutch athlete claims he was unable to show his full potential. Therefore, the buzz surrounding this rivalry is unlikely to die down soon.
For Usyk, this victory is recorded as another success in his professional career. He defeated another strong opponent and maintained his status. At the same time, the controversial ending has further increased interest in a potential rematch.
In short, Oleksandr Usyk responded to talk about his sluggishness against Rico Verhoeven with a joke. The Ukrainian champion told fans he fought that way so it "wouldn't be boring." The fight ended in a TKO, but the stoppage after the gong fueled further debate. Now, a rematch could be the next chapter — sometimes boxing series are more interesting than Netflix.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!
