BOXING fans were left outraged after the scorecards for Oleksandr Usyk’s controversial win over Rico Verhoeven were revealed.
The sport’s pound-for-pound scored a hotly debated 11th-round KO of the kickboxing great in their pyramid punch-up early this morning.
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Rico Verhoeven almost took Oleksandr Usyk the distance in their pyramid punch-up Credit: ANP/Shutterstock
The brave Dutchman was knocked out in the eleventh round of the fight Credit: Getty Images
Verhoeven, 37, turned in a scintillating display from the get-go and was up on many fight fans’ scorecards before the stoppage.
Usyk‘s flurry of shots after Verhoeven recovered from a nasty uppercut ultimately meant that the scorecards weren’t needed.
But fight fans were outraged when it emerged that the crossover clash, at the time of the stoppage, was going to be a MAJORITY DRAW.
Judges Manuel Olivier Palomo and Fabian Guggenheim both had the contest scored a draw with 96-95 cards.
‘DISGRACE’
Fuming fans claim Usyk win RIGGED after ref jumps in SECOND before end of round
RICO CASE
Usyk earns CONTROVERSIAL KO win over Rico Verhoeven to avoid major upset defeat
Pasquale Procopio, meanwhile, had Verhoeven winning the bout 96-94.
One wrote on X: “Outrageous man. Rico clearly after 10 rounds won 7/8 rounds man, shocking.”
Another said: “Boxing stinks. Corrupt judges and incompetent refs.”
And another said: “Ridiculous scorecard. Rico was miles ahead.”
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Boxing fans were up in arms after the official scorecards were shared online
One remarked: “Shocking 😂😂 Usyk was being beaten from pillar to post.”
Another chimed in: “WTF are those score cards.
“Yes, it’s subjective, but no matter where you were sat and watching, clearly Usyk was losing by at least two.”
Referee Mark Lyson waved off the contest after Usyk landed multiple shots after the bell.
Verhoeven said of the stoppage: “I thought it was an early stoppage, but in the end it’s not up to me.
“I was already super thankful for this opportunity for Usyk to take this fight.
“His excellency told me he wants a rematch, but it’s not up to me. Let’s see what happens.
“I wanted the referee to let me go out on my shield or let me go in the twelfth.
“I felt we were pretty even on the scorecards. I am really thankful for everyone who came out. We are at the pyramids! Thank you so much.
“I am super proud of my performance and hopefully, the boxing world embraces me as a boxer. I am amazingly happy to be here.”
