Joshua, Hearn, And Jake Paul All React To Rico Verhoeven’s Controversial Loss To Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk’s controversial stoppage win over Rico Verhoeven has quickly become one of the most debated moments in combat sports this year, with fighters, promoters, and fans all questioning whether the referee stepped in too early.
The ending sparked immediate backlash online after the referee waved off the fight just as the bell appeared to sound, denying Verhoeven the chance to continue into the championship rounds. While Usyk was beginning to build momentum late in the contest, many believed Rico deserved the opportunity to either survive the round or make it to the scorecards before the fight was stopped.
Jake Paul was one of the first major names to react publicly, posting on social media that what happened “seriously makes me sad” because “the sport and the fans deserve better.” His comments echoed the frustration many viewers felt after what had been a highly competitive fight ended in controversial fashion.
Joshua, Hearn And Jake Paul React To The Controversial Finish
Anthony Joshua also weighed in on the stoppage and appeared to side with Verhoeven regarding the referee’s decision. Joshua admitted he had Rico a couple of rounds ahead going into the later stages before Usyk’s pressure started shifting the fight.
According to AJ, the stoppage felt premature because the bell had “basically gone” and Rico was still defending himself intelligently. Joshua added that while he believed Usyk may eventually have secured a clearer stoppage or edged a decision, Verhoeven still deserved the chance to let the fight continue naturally.
The official scorecards only intensified the debate afterward. Two judges had the contest level at 95-95 after 10 rounds, while the third judge scored it 96-94 in favour of Rico Verhoeven. That meant Usyk was not leading on any of the cards when the fight was stopped, which immediately led to criticism from fans and figures across boxing.
Rico Verhoeven himself did not hide his frustration after the bout. The Dutch heavyweight questioned the timing of the stoppage and suggested his team could appeal the result.
“I just saw the end, because of all the comments I was reading,” Rico said afterward. “They stopped the fight after the bell. So the bell went, then they stopped the fight. I think we might just go and appeal it.”
Verhoeven also argued that if the referee acknowledged a mistake had been made, the result should either become a no contest or go to the scorecards instead.
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“Of course, mistakes can be made, but looking back at it, the referee needs to admit his mistake,” he added. “It’s either a no contest or we go to the scorecards, and if we do that, I was ahead.”
Despite the controversy, many still praised Usyk’s performance. The Ukrainian star once again showed why he is regarded as one of the most skilled combat sports athletes in the world, gradually raising the intensity and forcing Rico into difficult exchanges late in the fight.
Still, the dramatic ending overshadowed what had been an entertaining and competitive crossover bout. Instead of discussing Usyk’s tactical adjustments or Rico’s surprisingly strong showing, the conversation afterward focused almost entirely on the referee’s intervention and whether the fight was stopped at the wrong moment.
With Anthony Joshua, Eddie Hearn, Jake Paul, and countless fans publicly questioning the finish, the debate surrounding the fight is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
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