The controversial referee stoppage in Oleksandr Usyk's fight against Rico Verhoeven negatively impacted Usyk's career and legacy, according to detailed analysis. The stoppage prevented what could have been a clearer conclusion, as Usyk was likely winning on the scorecards and appeared poised to potentially finish Verhoeven in the 12th round. The premature ending fueled accusations of judging bias that wouldn't have existed with a decision victory or knockout finish. Verhoeven's competitive performance as a 1-0 boxer against the elite technician Usyk shocked observers and damaged Usyk's reputation. The analysis suggests that at 39, Usyk struggled to adapt to Verhoeven's unorthodox style until late rounds. If a rematch occurs, the author predicts Usyk would dominate with proper preparation. The piece also notes that in kickboxing rules, Verhoeven would have had overwhelming advantages.
