Verhoeven files protest over Usyk stoppage loss

Rico Verhoeven has lodged an official complaint against the stoppage that ended his fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The heavyweight kickboxer says the decision ignored the rulebook when it counted.

“Official protest has been filed on our way to the airport. Rules only matter if they are applied when it matters most.”

— Rico Verhoeven, via Ring Magazine

What Rico Verhoeven said

Verhoeven, who competes at 123 kg, suffered a loss to Usyk that has now become the subject of a formal protest. Speaking to Ring Magazine, he questioned the application of the rules in the bout's decisive moment. The protest was filed on his way to the airport after the fight.

What it moves

Verhoeven wrote that rules only matter if they are applied when it matters most, per Ring Magazine. The protest sets up a potential review of the stoppage by the relevant authority. Whether the result stands or gets overturned will depend on the outcome of that process.

Source: ringmagazine.com. Full Rico Verhoeven fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.