Rico Verhoeven says his appeal of the TKO stoppage in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk was denied by the commission, but he is using the ruling to call for an immediate rematch, arguing that both fighters and the fans deserve to see how the story ends.
Verhoeven posted a statement on Instagram following the commission’s June 16 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.
He was clear about where the responsibility lay.
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.
Verhoeven called for the rematch directly.
So for me, the conclusion is actually very simple. Let’s finish the story and give the fans that immediate rematch. The fans were denied a 12th round. After everything we’d both put into that fight, they deserved to see how it ended. I’ll be ready.