Referee stoppage damaged Usyk's legacy despite likely points victory over Verhoeven

The analyst argues that the referee's controversial stoppage in Usyk vs Verhoeven harmed Usyk's career more than a points decision would have. According to judges' scorecards, Usyk would have won on points regardless, but the stoppage created uproar about judging that wouldn't have existed otherwise. Additionally, it prevented Usyk from potentially scoring another knockdown or actual knockout in the final 12th round, which would have dramatically changed perception of the fight. The bout significantly damaged Usyk's legacy, as the 39-year-old struggled against a debuting kickboxer with a 1-0 boxing record. Verhoeven won many rounds, landed hard shots, pressured Usyk, limited his offense, and made him defensive. The analyst predicts that in a rematch Usyk would defeat Verhoeven decisively after studying him and adjusting preparation. Regarding the broader sporting context, the analyst noted it would have been more interesting to see this matchup under professional kickboxing rules, where Verhoeven would have had overwhelming advantages.