Rico Verhoeven releases statement after denied appeal to overturn Oleksandr Usyk result

On his Instagram, recent heavyweight title challenger, and kickboxing great, Rico Verhoeven has released the following statement regarding the protest appeal he submitted to overturn his controversial TKO loss to champion Oleksandr Usyk on May 23. 

Team Verhoeven was unsuccessfully pointing to the 11th round stoppage coming after the bell and claiming that he was not seriously hurt at the time. 

Verhoeven issued the following statement requesting an immediate rematch: “On 24 May, we filed a formal protest because we genuinely believed there was a serious question around the way the fight was stopped. On 16 June, we received the Commission’s decision.

“The ruling confirmed that the bell ending Round 11 had already sounded before the referee physically waved off the fight. The official timekeeper said exactly that. The ringside doctor also confirmed that I showed no signs of confusion or disorientation after the bout. The Commission’s view was that none of those findings changed the outcome.

“Look, this has never been about taking anything away from Oleksandr. He’s one of the greatest fighters of this generation and I have nothing but respect for what he’s achieved. What stays with me is the feeling that, after eleven unforgettable rounds on one of the biggest and most epic stages in the world, the story simply stopped before it reached its ending.

“Oleksandr had a strong moment. He caught me well and you could feel the tension in the fight shift. That’s what happens at this level. Momentum can change in an instant. Throughout my career, there have been moments where people thought it was over. In multiple world title fights, I’ve found ways to turn things around and leave with my hand raised. That’s just how I’m built. Never give up and always believe that it ain’t over until the bell rings. No pun intended! (Maybe a little bit)

“I truly believe everyone deserved the chance to see how this fight was meant to end. 

“The fans were denied a 12th round. After everything we’d both put into that fight, they deserved to see how it ended. I never got the chance to find out if this would have been one of those nights I had before.

“And Oleksandr was denied the opportunity to finish it in a way that nobody could question.

“So for me, the conclusion is actually very simple. Let’s finish the story and give the fans that immediate rematch!

“The ruling answered the legal questions, but it left another question hanging in the air, one that has stayed with so many people since that night: how was this story supposed to end?

“I’ll be ready, @usykaa.”