Rico Verhoeven Demands Rematch with Oleksandr Usyk After Controversial Stoppage
Rico Verhoeven has called for an immediate rematch with Oleksandr Usyk following their recent bout, where Verhoeven lost by a contentious stoppage at the end of the 11th round. Despite being new to boxing, Verhoeven, a legend in kickboxing, performed admirably against Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist and unbeaten heavyweight champion, during their fight staged in a temporary arena near the pyramids in Egypt. Verhoeven expressed his respect for Usyk, stating, "This has never been about taking anything away from Oleksandr... the story simply stopped before it reached its ending." He emphasized the need for a 12th round, feeling that the fans deserved to see how the fight would conclude. Despite Verhoeven's call for a rematch, not everyone believes it would be beneficial for him. Hamzah Sheeraz, who won a title on the Usyk-Verhoeven undercard, remarked, "I believe a rematch does Rico no favours apart from his bank balance. Usyk's the king of beating them twice." Trainer Gary Logan warned that if a rematch occurs, Usyk would have an advantage, having already defeated top heavyweights like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice. Logan suggested that Verhoeven should take on other opponents to establish himself further in the heavyweight division. Usyk, who is 39 years old, faces pressure to fight Agit Kabayel next to retain his WBC title. Logan also hinted that Usyk might consider retirement, stating, "He's done everything." In addition to the fight, Usyk's entrance was steeped in meaning. He drew inspiration from Alexander the Great, aiming to symbolize victory for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Usyk's fight night costume featured encrypted messages supporting his homeland, emphasizing his commitment to both sport and his country. Sergey Lapin, Usyk's childhood friend, highlighted Usyk's journey, noting, "Everything he said came true, and I've seen it with my own eyes over the past 20 years." With a legacy already established, Usyk remains a powerful figure in the boxing world.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-06-20