Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven | DAZN - 23 May 2026

Who wins?

Poll ended at 23 May 2026, 15:32

Usyk - Decision
12
20%
Usyk - T/KO
37
63%
DRAW
1
2%
Verhoeven - T/KO
8
14%
Verhoeven - Decision
1
2%
 
Total votes: 59

881073
Bantamweight
Posts: 58
Joined: 13 Mar 2022, 09:23

Re: Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven | DAZN - 23 May 2026

Post by 881073 »

https://www.instagram.com/ricoverhoeven/p/DZsOWa8mzVt

ricoverhoeven

"I’ve had some time to let all of this sink in.

On 24 May, we filed a formal protest because we genuinely believed there was a serious question around the way the fight was stopped. On 16 June, we received the Commission’s decision.
The ruling confirmed that the bell ending Round 11 had already sounded before the referee physically waved off the fight. The official timekeeper said exactly that. The ringside doctor also confirmed that I showed no signs of confusion or disorientation after the bout. The Commission’s view was that none of those findings changed the outcome.

Look, this has never been about taking anything away from Oleksandr. He’s one of the greatest fighters of this generation and I have nothing but respect for what he’s achieved. What stays with me is the feeling that, after eleven unforgettable rounds on one of the biggest and most epic stages in the world, the story simply stopped before it reached its ending.

Oleksandr had a strong moment. He caught me well and you could feel the tension in the fight shift. That’s what happens at this level. Momentum can change in an instant. Throughout my career, there have been moments where people thought it was over. In multiple world title fights, I’ve found ways to turn things around and leave with my hand raised. That’s just how I’m built. Never give up and always believe that it ain’t over until the bell rings. No pun intended! (Maybe a little bit 😂)

I truly believe everyone deserved the chance to see how this fight was meant to end.

The fans were denied a 12th round. After everything we’d both put into that fight, they deserved to see how it ended. I never got the chance to find out if this would have been one of those nights I had before.
And Oleksandr was denied the opportunity to finish it in a way that nobody could question.

So for me, the conclusion is actually very simple. Let’s finish the story and give the fans that immediate rematch!
The ruling answered the legal questions, but it left another question hanging in the air, one that has stayed with so many people since that night: how was this story supposed to end?

I’ll be ready, @usykaa"


Very weird decision, admitting the referee in charge was completely in the wrong, but at the same time beïng perfectly fine with beïng wrong and still refuse to correct anything.

I'm not sure if anyone is ever planning to take this sport as a serious combat sport or if it's perfectly fine for everyone to know that the winner is beïng decided beforehand and outside of the ring in a political way and not by actual fighting.
Boxing is more like WWE or something like that. I think I might go back to kickboxing, since there isn't that much corruption in that sport, I wish everyone the best here.

Meanwhile I haven't heard or seen any footage at all from Usyk since the fight, is he actually oké?
I hope Rico didn't injure him too much.
I hope his children can still hug him and visa versa.
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