Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has strongly criticized the controversial stoppage in the boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Rico Verhoeven.
During their heavyweight boxing bout held near the Pyramids of Giza, Verhoeven surprised many by dominating pound-for-pound boxing king Usyk for the majority of the 11 rounds. The Dutch kickboxing champion displayed impressive sharpness and stamina, leading many to believe he would secure a victory in only his second professional boxing match and become the new WBC heavyweight champion.
However, in the 11th round, Usyk landed a significant shot that knocked Verhoeven down. Despite beating the count, the referee intervened and stopped the fight shortly after the action resumed, awarding Usyk a TKO victory, much to the dismay of many spectators and Verhoeven himself.
Following the fight, Verhoeven announced on social media that he is appealing the decision, deeming the stoppage unfair.
Aspinall’s Outrage Over the Stoppage
The debate surrounding the stoppage continues, with some arguing it occurred after the round had ended, while others feel Verhoeven, having won most of the preceding rounds, deserved the chance to finish the fight.
Tom Aspinall expressed his intense dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision. In a video where he was watching the fight, the British fighter stated:
“They don’t even let him make it to the end of the round. It’s a robbery. What is that? Boxing doesn’t want anyone else to win, it’s that simple. They want boxers with an amateur background, who win an Olympic medal, and then turn pro and remain undefeated. They don’t like other combat sports. It’s nonsense.”
Notably, Turki Al-Sheikh, a prominent figure in sports, shares Aspinall’s sentiment, describing the stoppage as poor and feeling that Verhoeven should have been allowed to continue.
English Translation:
Tom Aspinall Calls Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Stoppage a “Robbery” After Shocking TKO Finish
Reigning UFC heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall has blasted the stoppage in Rico Verhoeven’s fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
This past weekend, Verhoeven shocked the world by dismantling boxing’s pound-for-pound king, Usyk, for most of the 11 rounds during their heavyweight boxing match near the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
The Dutchman looked sharp and did not gas out until the end, and fans were convinced that GLORY’s longest-reigning heavyweight champion would get his hand raised and become the new WBC heavyweight champion in just his second pro boxing bout.
However, in Round 11, Oleksandr Usyk dropped Rico Verhoeven with a massive shot. The 37-year-old managed to beat the count, but once the action resumed, the champion went all out for the finish by unloading a barrage of heavy punches.
Although “King of Kickboxing” was still on his feet, the referee stepped in and waved off the contest, handing Usyk a TKO victory.
Tom Aspinall is Furious After Watching the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven Stoppage
Some believe the bout was stopped after the 11th round, while others believe that since Rico Verhoeven won the majority of the rounds, the referee should have given him a chance to box in the final round instead of stopping the bout prematurely.
Even Tom Aspinall is not happy with how the bout was stopped. In a recent video, while watching the bout and blasting the stoppage, the Brit said:
“They don’t even let him make it to the end of the round. It’s a f***ing robbery. What the f*** is that? Boxing doesn’t want anyone else to win, simple as that. They want boxers with the amateur style coming in, winning an Olympic medal, and then switching over and being unbeaten pros. They don’t like other combat sports. It’s bullsh*t.”
Even Turki Al-Sheikh feels the same way as Tom Aspinall.
