Jake Paul was left furious after Oleksandr Usyk survived a scare to defend his WBC world heavyweight title by stopping Rico Verhoeven at the end of the 11th round in Egypt. The controversial victory has sparked outrage among fans and pundits alike.
The Fight
Kickboxing world champion Verhoeven had the previously unbeaten Usyk under pressure in the shadow of the pyramids. However, the Ukrainian clinched victory with a second left in the 11th round. Usyk, who also holds the WBA and IBF titles, put Verhoeven on the canvas with a left uppercut. Although the Dutch fighter beat the count, a flurry of punches from the champion saw the referee step in and end the contest.
Controversial Stoppage
Replays showed that British official Mark Lycett had stopped the fight after the bell to end the round had rung. YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was among many left outraged by the decision. "I mean that's the most insane s*** I've ever seen," he wrote on social media. "Rico was winning every round and the moment the ref sees to end it then he ends it, are you kidding? I'm the biggest Usyk fan but bro you lost that s***. Shoutout to Rico for beating his a** every round and getting jipped."
Verhoeven's Performance
Verhoeven, in just his second professional boxing match and first since 2014, had threatened to spring one of the sport's biggest surprises as he frustrated Usyk. The 37-year-old appeared to trouble Usyk with his unorthodox stance and struck first in the opening round, although the champion responded in the second.
Usyk, 39, was not moving freely and was caught several times as the pace slowed into the middle rounds. He came under pressure on the ropes as Verhoeven threatened the upset, catching Usyk with a strong right hand in the eighth before the Ukrainian responded with a left late in the round.
Decisive Moments
Verhoeven again forced Usyk back onto the ropes in the ninth round and maintained the pressure in the 10th. However, Usyk survived and delivered the decisive blows late in the 11th round. Speaking to DAZN, Usyk said: "This fight was hard. It was a good fight." He added that he was "ready" to face Germany's WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel, who was in the ring after the fight.
Verhoeven commented: "I thought it was an early stoppage but in the end it's not up to me."
Other Results
In other boxing news, Jack Catterall earned a shot at the WBA welterweight world title after a dominant points win over Shakhram Giyasov. The Chorley fighter knocked down Giyasov in the first round of a commanding display, taking the WBA's 'regular' welterweight title and securing a bout with WBA welterweight 'super' champion Rolando Romero. The fight was scored 118-109, 119-108 and 116-111 in Catterall's favour.
