Jake Paul And Francis Ngannou Agree On Controversial Usyk Stoppage
Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou criticized the controversial 11th-round stoppage in Oleksandr Usyk's win over Rico Verhoeven, each calling the kickboxer the real winner.
Brian Mazique, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
7/10
Key Takeaways
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Rico Verhoeven by TKO at 1:52 of the 11th round on May 26, 2026, after a right hook caused Verhoeven to stumble.
Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou, two former opponents of Usyk, publicly declared the stoppage premature and named Verhoeven the rightful winner on social media.
Verhoeven entered the fight with a 60-10 kickboxing record and no previous boxing losses by stoppage; Usyk improved to 22-0 (14 KOs).
Referee Mark Nelson waved off the bout despite Verhoeven raising his gloves immediately after the knockdown, sparking debate over officiating consistency.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already suggested a rematch, while Usyk's camp eyes a summer 2026 unification with Anthony Joshua.
HOOK: Two of combat sports' most outspoken figures—Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou—agree that the stoppage in Oleksandr Usyk's 11th-round win over Rico Verhoeven was premature, with both calling the heavyweight kickboxer the real winner. LEAD: In a fight that had already divided fans, Usyk was awarded a TKO victory in the 11th round over Verhoeven, a decorated Glory kickboxer making his boxing debut, but the referee's decision to halt the bout has sparked a firestorm of criticism from Paul and Ngannou, who insist Verhoeven was still competitive. CONTEXT: The bout on May 26, 2026, was Usyk's first defence of his unified heavyweight titles since moving up from cruiserweight, and Verhoeven's high-profile crossover from kickboxing. The stoppage came after a flurry of punches from Usyk in the 11th round, but replays showed Verhoeven was on his feet and actively defending before the referee stepped in. Paul, who has fought and lost to both Usyk (by decision) and Ngannou (by knockout), has built a reputation as a vocal analyst, while Ngannou—a former UFC champion turned boxer—brings credibility as a heavy-handed fighter. KEY DETAILS: Verhoeven, 36, entered the ring with a 60-10 kickboxing record and had never been stopped in boxing. Usyk, 39, improved to 22-0 with 14 KOs. The controversial stoppage occurred at 1:52 of the 11th round after a right hook landed on Verhoeven's temple, causing him to stumble backward. Referee Mark Nelson waved it off despite Verhoeven immediately raising his gloves. Paul posted on X: "Verhoeven was robbed. That was a bad stoppage." Ngannou echoed: "Rico was still in the fight. No respect." Both men agreed the fight was even on the scorecards entering the 11th. ANALYSIS: The Usyk Verhoeven stoppage controversy highlights boxing's persistent problem with inconsistent referee standards. With Usyk now holding titles from multiple sanctioning bodies, the premature halt denies Verhoeven a chance to force a rematch or prove his mettle. Critics argue that elite kickboxers crossing over deserve the same benefit of the doubt as boxers, especially given Verhoeven's demonstrated chin. OUTLOOK: Eddie Hearn, Usyk's promoter, has already called for Verhoeven to get a rematch, but terms remain unclear. The controversy could stall Usyk's plans to fight Anthony Joshua for a third time. Verhoeven, meanwhile, has hinted at returning to kickboxing unless the boxing world offers him another high-profile opponent. This episode will likely fuel calls for standardised stoppage criteria across all combat sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Referee Mark Nelson halted the fight in the 11th round after Usyk landed a right hook that caused Verhoeven to stumble, but Verhoeven immediately raised his gloves and was still on his feet. Critics, including Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou, argue the stoppage was premature and that Verhoeven should have been allowed to continue.
Jake Paul posted on X that Verhoeven was 'robbed' and called the stoppage 'bad.' He claimed Verhoeven was the real winner, echoing his opinion that the referee intervened too early.
Rico Verhoeven is a Dutch heavyweight kickboxer with a 60-10 record, widely considered the best in Glory. His boxing debut against undefeated champion Oleksandr Usyk was a major crossover event, and many expected a competitive fight given his striking credentials.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already expressed interest in a rematch. However, Usyk's team is also eyeing a unification bout with Anthony Joshua. The controversy may increase pressure to grant Verhoeven a second fight.
The incident fuels ongoing criticism that referees are inconsistent in their decisions. Boxing commissions may face calls for clearer criteria on when to stop a fight, especially in high-profile crossover bouts.
