A replay of Oleksandr Usyk's controversial 11th-round TKO victory over Rico Verhoeven has revealed the stoppage may have come after the bell. The revelation deepens suspicions around what was already a disputed decision in one of boxing's most anticipated cross-sport clashes.
Usyk defeated Verhoeven by 11th-round technical knockout on May 26, 2026, but slow-motion footage now suggests referee Kenny Bayless stepped in to wave off the fight after the round-ending bell had already sounded. The bout, which took place at a packed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, was billed as a showdown between the unified heavyweight boxing champion and the legendary kickboxing king making his professional boxing debut.
The win had already been controversial because Verhoeven appeared to be competitive and had not been knocked down. The 11th round featured a flurry of Usyk punches that pushed Verhoeven back, but no clean knockdown. Critics immediately questioned the stoppage, and the new replay evidence has turned the Usyk Verhoeven controversial win into a full-blown scandal.
Verhoeven, the longtime Glory heavyweight kickboxing champion, entered the ring with zero boxing wins but immense combat sports pedigree. Usyk, the Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, is known for his technical brilliance and stamina. The fight was promoted by Matchroom Boxing and generated massive pay-per-view numbers. Social media erupted after the replay surfaced, with analysts and fans calling for an investigation.
Boxing insiders have pointed out that under unified rules, referees are not allowed to stop a fight after the bell. The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) has not yet commented, but sources say Verhoeven's camp has already filed a formal protest to have the result overturned to a no-contest or reversed to a majority draw. The Usyk Verhoeven controversial win also raises questions about the consistency of referee decisions in high-stakes bouts.
Looking ahead, the fallout could be dramatic. If the NSAC upholds the protest, Usyk's unbeaten record might regain an asterisk, and Verhoeven could demand an immediate rematch. The incident also underscores broader concerns about officiating integrity as combat sports continues to blur the lines between boxing, MMA, and kickboxing. Fans should watch for the commission's ruling within the next 30 days, which could set a precedent for how after-the-bell stoppages are handled in the future.
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Oleksandr Usyk's Controversial Win Over Rico Verhoeven Just Got Even More Suspicious
Replay of Oleksandr Usyk's controversial 11th-round TKO of Rico Verhoeven appears to show the stoppage came after the bell. Here's why the win looks worse.
Brian Mazique, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
4/10
Key Takeaways
- The TKO occurred in the 11th round of a 12-round bout at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, on May 26, 2026.
- Replay footage shows referee Kenny Bayless waving off the fight after the round-ending bell had already rung, per analyst review.
- Rico Verhoeven, a 52-0 kickboxing champion, was making his professional boxing debut and had never lost a fight in any combat sport.
- Oleksandr Usyk entered the bout with a 22-0 boxing record and was the unified WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC heavyweight champion.
- The Nevada State Athletic Commission has received a formal protest from Verhoeven's team seeking to overturn the result to a no-contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The win is controversial because replay footage suggests the referee stopped the fight after the 11th-round bell had rung, meaning the stoppage was technically illegal. Additionally, Verhoeven was not knocked down and appeared capable of continuing, raising questions about the referee's judgment.
Yes, multiple slow-motion replays show referee Kenny Bayless stepping in to wave off the fight after the bell had already sounded. The official timing data has not been released, but visual evidence strongly supports that the fight should not have been stopped.
Verhoeven's team filed a formal protest with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, requesting that the result be overturned to a no-contest or a majority draw. They argue that the stoppage violated unified boxing rules.
Usyk was technically sharp as usual, landing combinations and controlling distance. He did not knock down Verhoeven but applied constant pressure. The 11th-round flurry was not considered damaging enough to warrant a stoppage by many observers.
The NSAC will review the protest and video evidence. If they rule in Verhoeven's favor, the result could be changed to a no-contest, potentially leading to a rematch. If the result stands, Usyk will move on to other opponents while Verhoeven may return to kickboxing or demand a second boxing match.
Yes, there have been precedents. For example, the 2015 bout between Krzysztof Głowacki and Oleksandr Usyk (then at cruiserweight) saw a controversial stoppage, but that earlier decision was not overturned. More recently, the NSAC has shown willingness to review controversial calls, though overturns remain rare.
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