Rico Verhoeven Says He Should Have Been Allowed to See Round 12 Against Oleksandr Usyk
Rico Verhoeven is still frustrated with how his fight against Oleksandr Usyk ended.
After the controversial stoppage, Verhoeven said he believes he should have been allowed to make it to the 12th round. From his point of view, the referee stepped in too soon and denied him the chance to finish the fight on his own terms.
Verhoeven also compared the moment to round nine of Usyk’s first fight with Tyson Fury, suggesting that fighters in major heavyweight bouts should be given every fair opportunity to survive difficult moments.
Verhoeven Wanted the Chance to Continue
For Verhoeven, the biggest issue is not simply that he lost. It is how the fight was stopped.
He believes he was close enough to the end of the round that he should have been allowed to return to his corner, recover, and come out for the final round. In a high-stakes heavyweight fight, that kind of moment can change everything.
The 12th round could have given him one last chance to prove he was still in the fight.
That is why the stoppage has remained such a major talking point.
The Tyson Fury Comparison Makes It More Interesting
Verhoeven comparing his stoppage to Usyk’s first fight with Tyson Fury adds another layer to the debate.
His point appears to be about consistency. If one fighter is given time to survive a dangerous moment, then another fighter may feel he deserves the same chance in a similar situation.
In heavyweight boxing, fighters can look badly hurt and still recover quickly. One round, one break, or even a few extra seconds can completely change the direction of a fight.
That is why Verhoeven feels the ending was unfair. He believes he was denied the opportunity to show whether he could recover.
READ MORE: Rico Verhoeven Questions Early Stoppage After Oleksandr Usyk TKO
Referee Decisions Are Always Difficult
At the same time, stoppages are never easy.
A referee has to make a fast decision in real time. Their job is to protect fighters, especially when heavy punches are landing and a fighter appears to be in danger.
From the referee’s side, stopping the fight may have looked like the safest option.
But from Verhoeven’s side, it felt like the fight was taken away too early. That is the difficult balance in combat sports: safety versus giving a fighter every chance to continue.
Verhoeven’s Frustration Is Understandable
Verhoeven is a proud competitor. He did not want the fight to end with doubt or controversy.
He wanted to see the final round. He wanted the chance to recover, adjust, and keep fighting. Even if Usyk was winning the moment, Verhoeven clearly believes the fight had not fully reached its natural ending.
That kind of frustration is common after controversial stoppages. Fighters train for months, sacrifice everything, and prepare for the hardest moments. When the ending feels out of their control, it can be difficult to accept.
READ MORE: Usyk Retains Title in Controversial Late TKO Over Verhoeven at Pyramids
Usyk Still Did What Champions Do
While Verhoeven disagrees with the stoppage, Usyk still deserves credit for creating the moment.
He applied pressure, forced the referee to make a decision, and showed why he remains one of the most composed fighters in heavyweight boxing. Champions take advantage when opponents are vulnerable, and Usyk did exactly that.
The controversy is not about whether Usyk was dangerous in that moment. He clearly was. The debate is whether Verhoeven should have been given a few more seconds and the chance to enter round 12.
Final Thoughts
Rico Verhoeven believes he should have been allowed to see the final round against Oleksandr Usyk.
His comparison to round nine of Usyk’s first fight with Tyson Fury makes the debate even stronger, because it raises questions about consistency, fighter safety, and how much time a heavyweight should be given to recover.
Usyk left with the win, but Verhoeven left with a major argument.
And because of that, this fight will continue to be remembered not only for the result, but for the controversial moment that ended it.
