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  "path": "/sport/boxing/rico-verhoeven-appeal-oleksandr-usyk-defeat",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-24T09:18:32.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Shaun Murphy makes heartbreaking admission weeks on from World Snooker Championship final defeat",
    "Emma Raducanu gives health update as tennis star prepares return to action",
    "Golf chief removed by PGA of America following abuse suffered by Rory McIlroy and other stars",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nRico Verhoeven has launched an official appeal after his controversial defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, insisting \"rules only matter if they are applied when it matters most\" following the dramatic stoppage on Saturday night.\n\nThe heavyweight showdown ended in chaotic fashion when referee Mark Lycett stepped in to halt the contest in the 11th round, moments after the bell had already sounded.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nVerhoeven and his team were left furious by the timing of the stoppage, particularly given how competitive the fight had been heading into the closing stages.\n\nThe Dutch kickboxing superstar later shared a photograph on social media showing his manager formally submitting an appeal while travelling to the airport.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n\"Official protest has been filed on our way to the Airport,\" Verhoeven wrote.\n\n\"Rules only matter if they are applied when it matters most.\"\n\nThe controversy has only intensified scrutiny on what had already been a stunningly close fight.\n\nHeading into the final six minutes, Verhoeven was narrowly ahead on one judge's scorecard, while the other two officials had the bout level.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThat left the contest finely poised despite Usyk defending his WBA and WBC heavyweight titles.\n\nThe veteran ultimately secured victory after flooring Verhoeven with a brutal left uppercut late in the 11th round.\n\nBut many observers were left debating whether the referee should have allowed the round to conclude naturally given the bell had already sounded.\n\nVerhoeven made no attempt to hide his frustration afterwards.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Shaun Murphy makes heartbreaking admission weeks on from World Snooker Championship final defeat\n  * Emma Raducanu gives health update as tennis star prepares return to action\n  * Golf chief removed by PGA of America following abuse suffered by Rory McIlroy and other stars\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"I thought it was an early stoppage,\" he said.\n\n\"I believe the referee knows that we're almost at the end of the round, or let me go out on my shield or let the bell go.\n\n\"It was close and I thought we were equal on the scorecards.\"\n\nDespite entering the ring as a huge underdog, Verhoeven threatened to produce one of boxing's greatest shocks in just his second professional bout and his first since 2014.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe 37-year-old repeatedly troubled Usyk with his awkward stance and relentless pressure.\n\nVerhoeven made a fast start and landed cleanly in the opening round before Usyk responded in the second.\n\nAs the fight wore on, the Ukrainian appeared uncomfortable and was repeatedly forced backwards onto the ropes.\n\nVerhoeven enjoyed some of his best moments in the eighth and ninth rounds, catching the champion with heavy right hands as the crowd sensed a potential upset.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nUsyk, however, demonstrated the resilience that has defined his legendary career.\n\nThe 39-year-old weathered the storm before finally seizing control late in the 11th with a devastating sequence that forced the referee's intervention.\n\nSpeaking afterwards on DAZN, Usyk admitted the challenge had pushed him hard.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"This fight was hard,\" he said. \"It was a good fight.\"\n\nUsyk also declared himself ready to face Agit Kabayel after the German's appearance in the ring following the bout.\n\nElsewhere on the card, Jack Catterall produced an impressive display to defeat Shakhram Giyasov on points and secure the WBA 'regular' welterweight title.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Rico Verhoeven makes big announcement after controversial defeat to Oleksandr Usyk"
}