Oleksandr Usyk retained his world title with an 11th-round stoppage of Rico Verhoeven, but the manner of the finish quickly became the biggest talking point.
Verhoeven, who had surprised many by putting Usyk under consistent pressure, was stopped just before the bell in a move that sparked immediate debate.
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For unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was among those questioning the decision, saying the Dutchman “definitely” should have been allowed to continue after surviving most of the round. And now, MMA stars weighed in on the matter.
Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall share the same view on Usyk vs Verhoeven controversy
Photo by Mohamed Hossam/Getty Images
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou summed up the feeling of many fans with a post on X, writing: “Outsiders will never win, trust me I know, but Rico was the winner tonight. Period.”
Ngannou’s perspective carries weight in these debates. He has seen both sides of the sport, having fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing since leaving the UFC.
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His message hinted at a feeling that Verhoeven, another crossover athlete, was up against more than just his opponent.
Tom Aspinall echoed that sentiment in a video on his YouTube channel, saying (via Freak MMA): “He lands a few unanswered shots and they don’t even let him [Verhoeven] make it to the end of the round.
“It’s a f———robbery. What the f———is that? Boxing doesn’t want anyone else to win, simple as that.”
Aspinall, the current UFC heavyweight champion, has also spoken about a potential move to boxing, so his frustration hits close to home for many crossover fans.
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