Rico Verhoeven to appeal the result of his fight against Oleksandr Usyk
Renowned Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven has expressed his disagreement with the result of his fight against Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk. He claims the referee stopped the bout at the wrong time and intends to file an appeal.
The clash between Verhoeven and Usyk was stopped in the 11th round, with the referee declaring a technical knockout in favor of the Ukrainian boxer. However, Rico does not consider this decision fair, arguing that the referee stopped the fight just as the round was ending, which significantly impacted the outcome.
"The referee stopped the fight after the bell. I think an appeal is necessary because the decision makes no sense. The round was ending; that should have been taken into account," said Rico Verhoeven.
The Dutch athlete acknowledged that mistakes can happen in sports, but insisted that in this case, the referee should reconsider his decision. He believes the fight against Usyk should be declared a "no contest."
"Of course, mistakes in sports are natural, but the referee should now admit his error and this bout should be declared a 'no contest'," added Verhoeven.
This statement has further fueled the controversy surrounding the fight. Fans and experts had previously raised questions about the timing of the stoppage, with the fact that very little time remained in the 11th round being the main point of contention for Rico's side.
Oleksandr Usyk extended his unbeaten streak with this victory. The Ukrainian boxer once again demonstrated his high level in the ring, but the controversy surrounding the referee's decision ensures that the result will remain a topic of discussion for some time.
For Verhoeven, this defeat is not just a simple result. A big name in the world of kickboxing, Rico tested himself under boxing rules and put up a serious fight against Usyk, which is why he is seeking a review of the outcome.
In short, Rico Verhoeven has announced he will appeal the result of the fight against Usyk. He alleges the referee stopped the bout after the round ended and is demanding a "no contest" ruling. Now, all eyes are on the organizers' decision: will this fight remain in history as a victory for Usyk, or will it move to a legal ring?
