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CAIRO, EGYPT - MAY 23: Rico Verhoeven looks dejected following defeat in the WBC and WBA World Heavyweight Titles fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven as part of the Glory in Giza Fight Night at Pyramids Panorama 2 on May 23, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Mohamed Hossam/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven is officially planning to appeal his controversial 11th-round stoppage loss to unified Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk after their bizarre showdown yesterday (Sat., May 23, 2026) in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt (watch highlights).
Verhoeven was stopped late in Round 11 after Usyk trapped him along the ropes and unloaded a flurry of punches, prompting the referee to wave off the fight in a moment that instantly sparked outrage across the combat sports world.
Immediately after the bout, Verhoeven admitted he believed the stoppage came far too early.
“Yeah, of course I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end, it’s not up to me,” Verhoeven said inside the ring afterward. “Still, I found it a little bit early. I believe that the referee knows that we’re almost at the end of the round. Let me go out on my shield or let the bell go.”
Now, after reviewing the finish and seeing the online backlash, Verhoeven says he intends to formally challenge the result.
“Yeah, to be completely honest, I just saw the end of the fight because of all the comments I was reading, and they stopped the fight after the bell [rang],” Verhoeven told Boxing News. “So the bell went, and then they stopped the fight. So yeah, I think we might just go and appeal it because this doesn’t make any sense, right?”
“Like if the bell goes and then stops the fight, then why? It’s my time to rest.”
Verhoeven also explained that while he agreed the standing eight-count earlier in the sequence was justified, he believed he was fully defending himself when the referee intervened.
“Yeah, I got the eight-count. It was a good eight-count. It was needed,” Verhoeven said. “But I heard the [clapper], so I was like, ‘F—k, we got ten seconds, keep on the move, hands up and catch the shots.’ And I feel like that’s what I was doing.”
“That’s why, when the referee came in, I wasn’t dazzled or whatever. I was looking at the referee like, ‘Why did you stop it? We’re almost there.’”
“It didn’t make any sense to me,” he continued. “And now looking back at it, the bell went. That’s something he should be aware of.”
“Of course, mistakes can be made, but looking back at it, the referee needs to admit his mistake. It’s either a no contest or we go to the scorecards — and if we do that, I was ahead.”
To be fair, Verhoeven actually was ahead on one official scorecard entering Round 11, while the other two judges had the fight even at 95-95.
Still, overturning boxing results through appeals is historically incredibly difficult, meaning Verhoeven is facing a massive uphill battle even if many fans agree with his complaints.
At this point, the simplest solution feels obvious:
Run it back immediately.
Unfortunately for Verhoeven, that may not happen next. Current indications suggest Usyk could instead move forward with a mandatory WBC title defense against unbeaten contender Agit Kabayel.
For more boxing news and notes click here.
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