The stoppage in the Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven fight is being appealed after the referee admitted he did not hear the bell and acknowledged making an error. Verhoeven's team filed the appeal following the controversial finish that came after the round-ending gong.
Rico Verhoeven's team has filed a formal appeal against the stoppage in his clash with Oleksandr Usyk after the referee publicly admitted he failed to hear the round-ending bell and acknowledged making an error in halting the contest.
Usyk, known as "The Cat," entered the bout carrying an unblemished 24-0-0 professional record. The 39-year-old southpaw from Ukraine stands six-foot-three with a 78-inch reach and trains out of the Ready To Fight camp. A two-division world champion in boxing, Usyk is widely regarded as one of the most technically refined fighters of his generation.
Verhoeven, nicknamed "The King of Kickboxing," brings a record of 66-10-0 into the dispute, a résumé built almost entirely inside the striking arts. The 37-year-old Dutchman out of Superpro Sportcenter stands six-foot-five with a 79-inch reach, giving him a slight size advantage over his opponent. His record alone underscores his standing as one of the most decorated kickboxers in the sport's history.
Why it matters
- The referee's own admission that he missed the bell significantly strengthens the grounds for Verhoeven's appeal and could force a review by the sanctioning authority.
- A successful appeal may result in a no-contest ruling, a restart, or other remedies depending on the governing body's regulations.
- The outcome affects both fighters' immediate futures, with any potential rematch or next booking likely on hold pending the appeal's resolution.
The appeal now rests with the relevant governing or sanctioning body, whose ruling will determine whether the official result stands or is overturned. With the referee himself confirming the error on record, the case for review carries unusual weight.
