keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:34
Rico wasn't in a position to defend himself as the ref stepped in. That's the rules.
Acting like this was some textbook emergency stoppage is nonsense. Rico was still on his feet, still throwing back, and the bell was literally sounding with one second left. In most world title fights a referee gives the fighter that final second even if he’s completely helpless, which Rico clearly wasn’t.
Bollocks. Numerous unanswered punches and as I already mentioned, he wasn't in a position to defend himself.
The way you’re describing it, you’d have referees stopping fights every time someone lands a clean combination. Rico was still standing, hands up, throwing back and the bell was literally ringing. This wasn’t some life-saving intervention on a defenceless corpse.
But apparently the second a favourite starts landing late, some people instantly switch into “thank you referee for preventing a tragedy” mode and gulp down every suspicious stoppage without thinking for two seconds about context, timing or optics.
Boxing fans really are the easiest audience in sports sometimes.
Controversial wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:17
I think it shows that non boxers can cause more problems than regular boxers because they are more unorthodox. Guess we saw this with Ngannou and Fury,
Boxers need to wake up to the fact they still have to train for these crossovers
And fans need to wake up to the fact that Usyk DID train. Usyk WAS ready. Rico Verhoeven was better than people thought. Rico Verhoeven is a legit good fighter.
Usyk was ready or he couldn't have pulled the fight out of the fire when he needed to in the 11th.
Yeah Usyk trained hard, I’m not sure that was this issue. I think it’s a combination of a few things, Rico can box, he isn’t a wrestler, jujitsu expert etc he knows how to punch. He’s a huge lump, very fit and very strong. There is very little footage of him boxing so hard to train for. But what often catches fighters out is I think there’s an element of expecting to win and not focusing 100%. When you are the underdog the pressure is off. We see it in all sports, some massive underdog beating the favourite as the underdog raises their game and the favourites sometimes don’t focus or try as hard.
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:34
Rico wasn't in a position to defend himself as the ref stepped in. That's the rules.
i just watched the ending again and Rico was just being pummeled. throw a punch else the ref just might end it.
he wobbled over to his corner to get a new mouth guard after the knockdown looking blank. then his team had to point for him to know where to go next. he might recover in kickboxing but not after 11 rounds against Usyk. he did well but it was over
Boxers need to wake up to the fact they still have to train for these crossovers
And fans need to wake up to the fact that Usyk DID train. Usyk WAS ready. Rico Verhoeven was better than people thought. Rico Verhoeven is a legit good fighter.
Usyk was ready or he couldn't have pulled the fight out of the fire when he needed to in the 11th.
Yeah Usyk trained hard, I’m not sure that was this issue. I think it’s a combination of a few things, Rico can box, he isn’t a wrestler, jujitsu expert etc he knows how to punch. He’s a huge lump, very fit and very strong. There is very little footage of him boxing so hard to train for. But what often catches fighters out is I think there’s an element of expecting to win and not focusing 100%. When you are the underdog the pressure is off. We see it in all sports, some massive underdog beating the favourite as the underdog raises their game and the favourites sometimes don’t focus or try as hard.
At his heaviest ever weight, I think we can all tell that he either slacked in training or his age is holding him back.
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:34
Rico wasn't in a position to defend himself as the ref stepped in. That's the rules.
Yeah on second viewing the stoppage wasn't that bad, he was obviously badly hurt from the KD, got extra time for the mouthpiece, then still failed to stop an onslaught from Usyk. You can't ask the ref to turn a blind eye to that in the hope the bell comes.
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:34
Rico wasn't in a position to defend himself as the ref stepped in. That's the rules.
i just watched the ending again and Rico was just being pummeled. throw a punch else the ref just might end it.
he wobbled over to his corner to get a new mouth guard after the knockdown looking blank. then his team had to point for him to know where to go next. he might recover in kickboxing but not after 11 rounds against Usyk. he did well but it was over
Acting like this was some textbook emergency stoppage is nonsense. Rico was still on his feet, still throwing back, and the bell was literally sounding with one second left. In most world title fights a referee gives the fighter that final second even if he’s completely helpless, which Rico clearly wasn’t.
Bollocks. Numerous unanswered punches and as I already mentioned, he wasn't in a position to defend himself.
The way you’re describing it, you’d have referees stopping fights every time someone lands a clean combination. Rico was still standing, hands up, throwing back and the bell was literally ringing. This wasn’t some life-saving intervention on a defenceless corpse.
But apparently the second a favourite starts landing late, some people instantly switch into “thank you referee for preventing a tragedy” mode and gulp down every suspicious stoppage without thinking for two seconds about context, timing or optics.
Boxing fans really are the easiest audience in sports sometimes.
It doesn't matter who's winning, Rico suffered a heavy knockdown. Looked terrible in the corner while getting his gumshield replaced, then he took numerous unanswered shots. Are you trying to get him killed?
And fans need to wake up to the fact that Usyk DID train. Usyk WAS ready. Rico Verhoeven was better than people thought. Rico Verhoeven is a legit good fighter.
Usyk was ready or he couldn't have pulled the fight out of the fire when he needed to in the 11th.
Yeah Usyk trained hard, I’m not sure that was this issue. I think it’s a combination of a few things, Rico can box, he isn’t a wrestler, jujitsu expert etc he knows how to punch. He’s a huge lump, very fit and very strong. There is very little footage of him boxing so hard to train for. But what often catches fighters out is I think there’s an element of expecting to win and not focusing 100%. When you are the underdog the pressure is off. We see it in all sports, some massive underdog beating the favourite as the underdog raises their game and the favourites sometimes don’t focus or try as hard.
At his heaviest ever weight, I think we can all tell that he either slacked in training or his age is holding him back.
hasn't he been training AJ? I can't imagine him doing another two tough fights at almost 40. not with his busy style
And fans need to wake up to the fact that Usyk DID train. Usyk WAS ready. Rico Verhoeven was better than people thought. Rico Verhoeven is a legit good fighter.
Usyk was ready or he couldn't have pulled the fight out of the fire when he needed to in the 11th.
Yeah Usyk trained hard, I’m not sure that was this issue. I think it’s a combination of a few things, Rico can box, he isn’t a wrestler, jujitsu expert etc he knows how to punch. He’s a huge lump, very fit and very strong. There is very little footage of him boxing so hard to train for. But what often catches fighters out is I think there’s an element of expecting to win and not focusing 100%. When you are the underdog the pressure is off. We see it in all sports, some massive underdog beating the favourite as the underdog raises their game and the favourites sometimes don’t focus or try as hard.
At his heaviest ever weight, I think we can all tell that he either slacked in training or his age is holding him back.
6 pounds heavier than ever, not a massive deal really, it’s not like he was 2 stone heavier. I just think he couldn’t work Rico out, he didn’t look tired.
But I’m absolutely amazed a 37 year old 260lb guy with zero real boxing experience could be that active after 11 rounds, his engine was unreal which some people might think is a bit suspicious.
Bollocks. Numerous unanswered punches and as I already mentioned, he wasn't in a position to defend himself.
The way you’re describing it, you’d have referees stopping fights every time someone lands a clean combination. Rico was still standing, hands up, throwing back and the bell was literally ringing. This wasn’t some life-saving intervention on a defenceless corpse.
But apparently the second a favourite starts landing late, some people instantly switch into “thank you referee for preventing a tragedy” mode and gulp down every suspicious stoppage without thinking for two seconds about context, timing or optics.
Boxing fans really are the easiest audience in sports sometimes.
It doesn't matter who's winning, Rico suffered a heavy knockdown. Looked terrible in the corner while getting his gumshield replaced, then he took numerous unanswered shots. Are you trying to get him killed?
The funny thing is you clearly do believe stoppages can be premature. What do you think about Froch v Groves?
Rico was standing, hands up, throwing back and the bell was literally ringing. You can think it was the right stoppage if you want, but acting like anybody questioning it wants to “get him killed” is pure melodrama.
Your threshold for “fighter unable to defend himself” suddenly becomes a lot more generous depending on the event and who benefits from the stoppage.
NazNaci1 wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:55
Can't imagine him slacking. He just had a tough time in there, tonight.
Rico is big, busy, unorthadox and strong,
Credit where its due.
At least somebody gives a man credit when he fights a good fight around here. Good on ya Naz
I'm going to give someone some credit and that person is you. You called it Gil, you said Rico was no joke and would be competitive and by god he was. Fantastic showing by the dutchman, he gave Usyk a hell of a tough night.
For what it's worth. I think Rico would've been stopped in the 12th round regardless, but he had earned that right with the fight he'd fought up to then.
The way you’re describing it, you’d have referees stopping fights every time someone lands a clean combination. Rico was still standing, hands up, throwing back and the bell was literally ringing. This wasn’t some life-saving intervention on a defenceless corpse.
But apparently the second a favourite starts landing late, some people instantly switch into “thank you referee for preventing a tragedy” mode and gulp down every suspicious stoppage without thinking for two seconds about context, timing or optics.
Boxing fans really are the easiest audience in sports sometimes.
It doesn't matter who's winning, Rico suffered a heavy knockdown. Looked terrible in the corner while getting his gumshield replaced, then he took numerous unanswered shots. Are you trying to get him killed?
The funny thing is you clearly do believe stoppages can be premature. What do you think about Froch v Groves?
Rico was standing, hands up, throwing back and the bell was literally ringing. You can think it was the right stoppage if you want, but acting like anybody questioning it wants to “get him killed” is pure melodrama.
Your threshold for “fighter unable to defend himself” suddenly becomes a lot more generous depending on the event and who benefits from the stoppage.
You post rambling nonsense, I am quoting the rules of boxing. Watch the end of the fight again and come back when you know what the fvck you're talking about.
No, you’re hiding behind “the rules” because it saves you from discussing the actual situation. Nobody said the referee wasn’t allowed to stop it. The point is whether it was a good stoppage with one second left while Rico was still standing, hands up and throwing back.
You’re talking like the referee rescued an unconscious man from certain death. In reality he waved it off at the exact moment the bell was ringing in a fight where the guy was still responding offensively.
And this is also Rico Verhoeven we’re talking about — a fighter who’s been badly hurt multiple times in kickboxing and has repeatedly recovered and come back from it. Acting like a few unanswered shots with one second left automatically meant imminent catastrophe is pure melodrama.
There’s a difference between “legal stoppage” and “beyond criticism,” but apparently nuance is too much to ask from some boxing fans.
And honestly, why do we even pay to watch combat sports if fights get stopped the second someone looks vulnerable late in a round? Rico’s entire reputation is built on surviving bad moments and coming back from them. That “comeback mentality” gimmick is literally part of the product people are paying to see.
Instead the fight gets waved off with one second left while he’s still standing and throwing back, and now we’re supposed to pretend there was absolutely nothing left to see.
NazNaci1 wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:55
Can't imagine him slacking. He just had a tough time in there, tonight.
Rico is big, busy, unorthadox and strong,
Credit where its due.
At least somebody gives a man credit when he fights a good fight around here. Good on ya Naz
I'm going to give someone some credit and that person is you. You called it Gil, you said Rico was no joke and would be competitive and by god he was. Fantastic showing by the dutchman, he gave Usyk a hell of a tough night.
keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 19:34
Rico wasn't in a position to defend himself as the ref stepped in. That's the rules.
Yeah on second viewing the stoppage wasn't that bad, he was obviously badly hurt from the KD, got extra time for the mouthpiece, then still failed to stop an onslaught from Usyk. You can't ask the ref to turn a blind eye to that in the hope the bell comes.
The truth is, they already removed the timestamp for whatever weird reason for the first time during this match and just a little later we could hear the sound saying the round was allmost over.
39:22 that is, then around 39:46 the referee stops the fight claiming Rico Verhoeven can't continue while he was standing on his feet.
Meanwhile Usyk was on the ground, probably because he couldn't stand any more and everybody involved realised what was happening.
Haha, also very much telling, remove as much footage as possible as fast as possible ^ lol.
gregregegg wrote: ↑23 May 2026, 20:54
This reminded me a bit of Loma vs teo… I was just watching wondering why Usyk was just waiting way too long.
He wasn't strong enough to stop Rico's pressure. He wasn't waiting. He was doing all he could.
It wasn’t a strength issue it was a speed, reflex and movement issue. And because of that Usyk was too passive.
He was doing all this version of him could do. I’ll pay that. And got it done eventually. But you’re mad if you think that Usyk wasn’t by far the worst version of him we have seen at heavyweight.
Otherwise your position is Rico is a top 5 heavyweight. Which is pretty bold but it’s a doable stance I guess. But just like I didn’t think nganu was a top heavyweight after that fury, I don’t think Rico is a top heavyweight after this Usyk.
I want the rematch cause I didn’t like the ending. But if Rico is what you say he is and he dosent get the rematch, he will start cleaning up the division pretty quick.
