Report: Usyk scores controversial, late KO to deny Verhoeven all-time upset
And Verhoeven was arguably on track for a remarkable result, seemingly ahead on points as the 11th round – the penultimate frame – arrived. But it was at that moment that Usyk began to dial up the pressure on Verhoeven, who then walked onto an uppercut in the corner, which dropped him to his knees.
Verhoeven beat the referee’s count and was given extra time to recover as his mouthguard was put back in, but when Usyk swarmed the Dutchman with more offence on the ropes, the official waved off the bout as the bell sounded.
Many will have felt that the referee should have let the round finish, while others will argue that Verhoeven was already given extra time to recover from the knockdown.
In any case, the result saw Usyk, 39, maintain his unbeaten record, retain the WBC belt, and avoid a historic upset in Egypt.
Full report:
What on earth just happened?
What a fight that was. If that had been allowed to go into round 12, would Usyk have got the stoppage anyway? Would he have hurt Rico further and snatched a draw? Or would Rico have won?
