Controversial Stoppage Mars Usyk Victory Over Verhoeven

The referee's premature stoppage damaged Oleksandr Usyk's career despite his likely points victory over Rico Verhoeven. According to scorecards, Usyk would have won anyway, but the controversial ending created massive outcry about judging. Had the fight continued, Usyk was pressuring and might have secured a legitimate knockout in round 12, which would have significantly changed perceptions of the bout. The fight damaged Usyk's legacy as the 39-year-old struggled against a kickboxer with just one boxing match (1-0 record), with Verhoeven winning many rounds and landing hard shots. While Usyk eventually adjusted in later rounds, his difficulty against such an underdog shook his reputation. The author believes Usyk would dominate a rematch with proper preparation but cannot assess his chances against Agit Kabayel. The post also reflects that Verhoeven would have no chance under professional kickboxing rules.